DFI Marketing Inc. is recalling almost 500,000 California-grown cantaloupes that may be contaminated with Salmonella. The USDA’s Microbiological Data Program found the bacteria on the fruit during routine testing at a wholesale produce distribution center. The melons were distributed from August 27 to September 10, 2012. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the consumption of this product.
About 28,000 cartons are included in the recall. The fruit is packed 6, 7, 12, 15, or 18 per carton. The cartons are stamped with “825 CALIFORNIA WESTSIDE” and were packed on August 26, 2012. The fruit waas distributed to these states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. The fruit was also distributed to Mexico.
If you have purchased these melons, contact DFI Marketing at 1-559-449-0244 24 hours a day. You can return the melons to the store where it was purchased or discard it. The company says they think most of the cantaloupes are no longer in commerce. Their internal sampling was negative for Salmonella.
I just ate a half of one. I hope I don’t die. I got it from the food pantry at the church.
You’ll most likely be okay. If there is any cantaloupe left over, put it in a plastic bag, seal it, and put it in the fridge. Wash your hands after handling it. Just monitor yourself for the symptoms of Salmonella: diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, chills, nausea. If you do feel sick within the next two days, go to the doctor or the ER and ask for a Salmonella test.