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A large produce supplier has issued a recall for cantaloupe that was distributed to New Jersey and other states due to suspected Salmonella. Sofia Produce, LLC, operating under the name “Trufresh,” has issued a recall for the melons shipped to stores between October 16, 2023, and October 23, 2023. The cantaloupes, packaged in cardboard containers labeled with the “Malichita” label, are suspected to be contaminated with Salmonella.
Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of Salmonella infection include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare cases, the infection can lead to more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis.
The melons were also distributed to Arizona, California, Maryland, Tennessee, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Texas, Florida, and even Canada. Recalled cantaloupes are identifiable by their packaging. They are contained in cardboard containers bearing the “Malichita” label. Affected cantaloupes can be identified by the PLU sticker. The top half of the sticker is white with the word “Malichita” written in script in black letters. The bottom half of the sticker is black and displays the number “4050” in white letters, along with the words “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique.”
As of now, there have been no reported illnesses associated with the cantaloupes. The recall was initiated after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced a similar recall due to possible Salmonella contamination. Trufresh’s investigation revealed that the order numbers listed may have been associated with the cantaloupes sold to Fruits et Légumes Gaétan Bono.