Food safety alert: 1 in 3 St. Louisans heard of Salmonella outbreak linked to cantaloupe

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating a Salmonella outbreak linked to cantaloupes and urging consumers to avoid eating certain recalled cantaloupe products, including some fruit cups. As of today, the outbreak has caused 117 illnesses, 61 hospitalizations, and 2 deaths in 34 states, including Missouri.

In the last week, more than a third of St. Louis adults surveyed (36%) had heard about the Salmonella outbreak, almost double the rate from the prior week. Adults ages 40 and older were more likely to hear about it than those under 40 (57% vs 17%).

At least four brands (Malichita, Rudy, Aldi, and Vinyard) selling cantaloupe products in the U.S. and Canada have issued recalls due to Salmonella contamination. The FDA recommends that consumers, restaurants, and retailers not eat, sell, or serve recalled whole or packaged cut cantaloupe. Even handling recalled cantaloupes could spread contamination, so care should be taken to clean surfaces and containers.

Salmonella illness usually occurs 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food and lasts 4-7 days. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Children younger than five, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections. Those experiencing symptoms of Salmonella infection after eating recalled cantaloupe should contact their healthcare provider.

Share the attached resources in your community to help spread awareness of the Salmonella outbreak.

This week’s report is based on 151 responses from a panel of adult residents of St. Louis City and County surveyed from Saturday, December 2, to Monday, December 4, 2023. Explore these data and more at iHeardSTL.

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