FDA, CDC, Canadian Officials Say Salmonella Cantaloupe Outbreak is Over

Article By JACKIE MITCHELL Published JANUARY 29, 2024
Article Source: FDA, CDC, Canadian Officials Say Salmonella Cantaloupe Outbreak is Over - Quality Assurance & Food Safety (qualityassurancemag.com)

The outbreak was linked to Malichita and Rudy branded cantaloupe distributed by Sofia Produce, LLC (Trufresh) and caused nearly 600 reported illnesses in the U.S. and Canada.

The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with Canadian, state and local partners, announced Jan. 19 that the outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to recalled cantaloupe is over, and the FDA investigation is complete.

The outbreak was linked to Malichita and Rudy branded cantaloupe distributed by Sofia Produce, L.L.C. (Trufresh). According to the FDA, the outbreak caused 407 total illnesses, 158 hospitalizations and six deaths in the U.S. Canada reported 190 illnesses, 68 hospitalizations and nine deaths related to the outbreak.

As part of this investigation, the FDA and industry partners worked together to collect and analyze samples of cantaloupe. Two of the samples were positive for Salmonella Sundsvall, and whole genome sequencing analysis confirmed that the strain of Salmonella found in isolates associated with these two samples matched the same strain of Salmonella found in ill people. One isolate tested positive for Salmonella Newport; however, it was not associated with the outbreak.

Industry’s cooperation in collecting and sharing samples with the FDA for further analysis provided additional information that helped resolve the outbreak, FDA said.