Thousands Of Whole Cantaloupes Have Been Recalled Across 9 Southern States
The melons were recalled due to potential salmonella contamination.
If there’s a cantaloupe ripening on your kitchen countertop, you may want to skip wrapping it in prosciutto for your next dinner party and instead check the sticker.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration just announced a voluntary recall of 6,456 cases of whole cantaloupes from Eagle Produce’s Kandy brand for a potential salmonella risk. The FDA was alerted to the contamination after conducting a test on cantaloupe in one of the Eagle Produce distribution centers.
The melons were shipped out between September 5 and September 16 across nine Southern states and 10 others, including: Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. (Full list here.) Thankfully, as of September 27, there have not been any adverse side effects or illnesses connected to the recall.
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If you’re looking at the sticker on your cantaloupe, check for the “Kandy” brand name and 4050, the UPC number code. While not shown on the sticker itself, the potentially contaminated melons have lot codes of 797901, 797900, and 804918.
Salmonella especially affects children, those with weakened immune systems, and elderly people. On rare occasions, the organism can cause arterial infections, arthritis, and even endocarditis (inflammation of the heart’s lining and valves). As such, the FDA and Eagle Produce urge customers who have purchased the recalled melons to toss them to avoid sickness.
This recent recall is the latest of many this summer and early fall, including Costco butternut squash, Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage, and over 58,000 pounds of ground beef.
Stay healthy, y’all!
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