The FDA has issued more information about the Salmonella Adelaide outbreak that is linked to recalled precut melon. That outbreak has sickened at least 60 people in 5 states, and hospitalized 66% of the patients. Now the government has revealed that the recalled melons were also sold in Iowa, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
That means the recalled precut melon has been sold in 12 states. The states where the recalled melon was sold include Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The stores that carried the melons include Costco, Jay C, Kroger, Payless, Owen’s, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Walgreens, Walmart, and Whole Foods/Amazon.
You can see the long 24-page list of stores, addresses, cities, and states where the melons may have been sold. Look at that list carefully. If you patronize those stores, make sure you haven’t purchased precut melon from them. If you have, discard the fruit immediately.
Some of the stores on that list have not been published on the FDA or CDC updates. It’s important to note that none of the following stores have been mentioned as a place where outbreak patients purchased the melons. Some are individually owned stores, and others include: Food 4 Less, KFresh, Peapod, IGA, Giant Eagle, Martin’s, Holiday Foods, T&C, SVT, Valu Market, Gordon Foods, and Price Chopper.
The recalled products include many different forms of cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and watermelon. Some of the types sold include spears, chunks, slices, and fruit salad mixes. The FDA is recommending that people throw away any precut melon that was purchased at those stores in those states.
The products were packaged in clear, plastic clamshell containers. This outbreak is likely to grow, since the last reported case got sick on May 28, 2018. It takes a few weeks for a person to get sick, see their doctor, get tested and have the results reported.
Attorney Fred Pritzker, who has represented clients sickened with Salmonella infections, said, “This strain of Salmonella Adelaide seems to be quite virulent. Many patients could experience long term health problems.” Call 1-888-377-8900 for help.
Attorney Fred Pritzker, who is representing clients sickened in this outbreak, said, “Please pay attention to the FDA updates about where these products were sold. The list of retail outlets and the states that may have received the precut melon keeps growing. This is a serious outbreak and many people are very sick; some have needed surgery and about 66% of outbreak patients are hospitalized. More lawsuits may be filed.”
The symptoms of salmonellosis, the illness caused by Salmonella bacteria, include fever, nausea, stomachache, vomiting, muscle aches, and diarrhea that may be bloody. If you have eaten precut melon products and been sick with these symptoms, please see your doctor.
