FDA Issues Recall of Whole Cantaloupe Due to Salmonella - The Bump

There are plenty of foods to indulge in while pregnant, but there's also a short list of foods to avoid. From raw fish to cookie dough, these food items are prone to harbor some potentially nasty bacteria that could be harmful to you and baby.

But outside of these more obvious no-nos, sometimes a seemingly innocuous food pops up on the radar as hazardous for expectant mothers due to contamination. The latest to be recalled? Cantaloupes. Here's what you need to know.

What cantaloupes are being recalled and why?

Whole cantaloupes with the brand name "Kandy" are being recalled after fresh fruit distributor Eagle Produce discovered possible salmonella contamination following a test conducted by the FDA. Since the discovery, Eagle Produce has worked with the FDA to issue a recall for 6,456 cases of its Kandy whole cantaloupes.

How do I know if my cantaloupe is recalled?

The potentially contaminated cantaloupes were distributed September 5-16, 2023, in California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Washington D.C. and sold in various retail supermarkets.

You can check whether or not your cantaloupe is a part of the recall by looking at the sticker on each cantaloupe. Kandy Whole Cantaloupes with the UPC number code 4050 and lot numbers 797901, 797900 and 804918 have been recalled. No illnesses have been reported yet.

Why should pregnant women be concerned?

Pregnant people are more likely to contract severe illness from salmonella than non-pregnant people due to their weakened immune systems. According to the National Institutes of Health, while not common, salmonella can also increase the chance of complications during pregnancy, depending on the severity of the infection. In some cases, it can increase the chance for preterm delivery and restrict the growth of the fetus.

Once contracted, symptoms from salmonella usually start within six hours to six days. Symptoms can include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. Some severe but often uncommon salmonella strains can sometimes cause infection in urine, blood, bones, joints or the nervous system, and can cause life-threatening issues.

How do I protect myself?

The FDA and Eagle Produce urge anyone who may have purchased affected cantaloupes to immediately discard the fruit. If you want to learn more about the recall and check to see if your cantaloupe may be affected, visit FDA.gov.

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