There has been an ongoing (read; growing) recall on Honduran cantaloupe because of links between it and a recent outbreak of Salmonellosis. The recalls are growing because the infected fruit is from a specific Honduran grower and packer, Agropecuaria Montelibano, that many different brands use. There have been cases of the Salmonella Litchfield outbreak throughout North America.

To date, the FDA has received reports of 50 illnesses in 16 states and nine illnesses in Canada linked to the consumption of cantaloupes. No deaths have been reported; however, 14 people have been hospitalized. The states are Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.” ~ USFDA, March 22nd, 2008, Cantaloupe Recall Info

Sure, you’re throwing away a couple bucks but the chances of that fruit sitting in an un-refrigerated area for a notable length of time is pretty high. As stated by the FDA, ” leftover cut cantaloupe should be discarded if left at room temperature for more than two hours.” That accounts for fruit left out (at room temperature) but what about when it was sitting out on the docks for hours?

I am not saying this happens to all perishables but after working in the restaurant and hotel industry (reputable places, too) for over ten years I will say this - it is not unheard of for perishables to sit in places that are less than “optimal” for “undetermined” amounts of time. So in the case of that cantaloupe sitting in the frig, so as they say in the food industry, “when in doubt, throw it out.”

The symptoms for Salmonella are diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and abdominal cramps 6 to 72 hours after infection. Salmonella and its various strains are a food-born illness meaning you can only get it from consuming the food in question. But it should be pointed out that the very young and old are susceptible to the most severe symptoms due to their impaired immune systems. In extreme cases it can infect a person’s bloodstream and lead to life-threatening infections.

Related Links:
FDA Warns of Salmonella Risk with Cantaloupes from Agropecuaria Montelibano
T.M. Kovacevich International, Inc. Recalls Cantaloupe Because of Health Concerns
Fresh Express Foods Recalls Cubed Cantaloupe
Wikipedia | Salmonellosis