A fresh cantaloupe recall has been elevated to the highest-risk level by the FDA due to potential contamination.
Ayco Farms Inc, based in Pompano Beach, Florida, recalled 8,302 cartons of cantaloupe last month, according to an enforcement report shared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The melons were recalled because it may have been contaminated with salmonella, a bacteria that can cause a serious food-borne illness.
However, as of April 20, the FDA upgraded the recall to a Class I, meaning that consuming the cantaloupe could lead to severe health consequences or death.
The Ayco-branded cantaloupes were sold in cardboard cartons, distributed to various retailers in four states: California, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania. Every carton featured six to 12 melons, with individual fruits wrapped in food-safe plastic bags.
The recalled fruit can be identified by lot numbers found in the FDA’s enforcement report.
While there haven’t been any illnesses reported to date, consumers who have purchased the potentially contaminated cantaloupe are urged to throw it away immediately and disinfect any surfaces it may have touched.
People infected with salmonella infections can develop symptoms within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food, according to the FDA. Symptoms — which last from four to seven days and usually go away without treatment — can include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. People with severe salmonella infections can experience high fever, headaches, lethargy, a rash or blood in the urine or stool.
The elevated cantaloupe recall is the latest plaguing shoppers. In February, more than a dozen flavors of cream cheese from Made Fresh Salads were recalled over possible listeria contamination. That recall was also later elevated to a Class I by the FDA.
Routine sampling found that part of the mixer used to make the cream cheese was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to Made Fresh Salads. The company said it has stopped using the contaminated mixer.
Meanwhile, Viatris, the maker of Xanax, recalled the medication last month because of “failed dissolution specifications,” according to a recent notice from the Food and Drug Administration. This means the pill may not break down in the body and release the drug at the right speed. If the medication doesn’t dissolve correctly, it could reduce its effectiveness.
Last week, the FDA classified the recall as Class II, meaning the affected pills could cause “temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote,” according to the agency.
