CDC says 9 Missourians ill with Salmonella connected with recalled cantaloupe

Susan Szuch, Springfield News-Leader
Updated ·2 min read

The number of people nationwide who have been sickened by contaminated cantaloupe doubled from Nov. 17 to Nov. 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During that time, cases have been reported in 17 additional states, including Missouri.

As of Nov. 24, there were 99 confirmed cases of Salmonella infection connected with the cantaloupe. Nine of those are in Missouri.

In Missouri, whole cantaloupes sold by Trufresh and branded as Malichita or Rudy may be affected. The cantaloupes affected would have been sold between Oct. 10 and Nov. 3.

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This image shows the box that carried cantaloupes connected to Salmonella infections. The melons were sold in Missouri between Oct. 10 and Nov. 3., 2023.
This image shows the box that carried cantaloupes connected to Salmonella infections. The melons were sold in Missouri between Oct. 10 and Nov. 3., 2023.
These stickers were on cantaloupes connected to a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 99 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The melons would have been sold in Missouri between Oct. 10 and Nov. 3, 2023.
These stickers were on cantaloupes connected to a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 99 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The melons would have been sold in Missouri between Oct. 10 and Nov. 3, 2023.

The Malichita cantaloupes are packaged in cardboard containers with a “Malichita” label. The Malichita brand cantaloupes also have an individual PLU sticker placed upon each cantaloupe. The PLU sticker has a white top half with the word “Malichita” written in black script letters. The bottom of the PLU sticker is black and has the number “4050” prominently displayed in white with the words “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique”. This label will identify individual Malichita cantaloupes purchased by consumers.

This image shows the box that carried cantaloupes connected to Salmonella infections. The melons were sold in Missouri between Oct. 10 and Nov. 3., 2023.
This image shows the box that carried cantaloupes connected to Salmonella infections. The melons were sold in Missouri between Oct. 10 and Nov. 3., 2023.
These stickers were on cantaloupes connected to a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 99 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The melons would have been sold in Missouri between Oct. 10 and Nov. 3, 2023.
These stickers were on cantaloupes connected to a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 99 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The melons would have been sold in Missouri between Oct. 10 and Nov. 3, 2023.

The Rudy brand cantaloupes are packaged in cardboard containers with the “Rudy” label. The Rudy brand cantaloupes also have an individual PLU sticker on each cantaloupe with the numbers 4050.

Trufresh has been advised that there are 97 illnesses reported to date that have been associated with this strain of Salmonella, according to a press release from the Food and Drug Administration. Information from the CDC indicates that at least two people have died so far nationwide.

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People should not eat any recalled cantaloupes and other fruit products. Throw them away or return them to where you bought them. People should also wash items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled fruit using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.

If someone exhibits these symptoms, they should call their primary care provider:

  • Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit;

  • Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving;

  • Bloody diarrhea;

  • So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down;

  • Signs of dehydration, such as not peeing much, dry mouth and throat, feeling dizzy when standing up.

For additional information on the products, customers may contact TruFresh representative Rafael Roiz from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday at 520-394-7370.

Susan Szuch is the health and public policy reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at sszuch@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: CDC: 9 Missourians ill with Salmonella from contaminated cantaloupe