Marler Clark investigated a multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to Caito brand pre-cut melon in Spring 2019.
In April 2019, the CDC and public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigated a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Carrau infections. Epidemiologic and traceback evidence indicated that pre-cut melon supplied by Caito Foods LLC of Indianapolis, Ind. was the likely source of this multistate outbreak.
The multistate investigation began on April 2, 2019, when PulseNet identified the outbreak. As of May 24, 2019, 137 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Carrau had been reported from 10 states – Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Alabama.
Illnesses started on dates ranging from March 3, 2019, to May 1, 2019. Ill people ranged in age from less than one to 98 years, with a median age of 53. Sixty-three percent were female. Of 104 people with information available, 38 (37%) were hospitalized. No deaths were reported.
Information collected from stores where ill people shopped indicated that Caito Foods LLC supplied pre-cut melon to these stores. On April 12, 2019, Caito Foods, Inc. recalled pre-cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and pre-cut fruit medley products containing one of these melons produced at the Caito Foods LLC facility in Indianapolis, Ind.
And it happened before: As of July 24, 2018, 77 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Adelaide were reported from nine states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from April 30, 2018, to July 2, 2018. Ill people ranged in age from less than 1 year to 97, with a median age of 67. Among ill people, 67% were female. Out of 70 people with information available, 36 (51%) were hospitalized. No deaths were reported.