Ethermac Exchange-More cantaloupe recalls: Check cut fruit products sold at Trader Joe's, Kroger and Sprouts

Another company has issued recalls connected to a string of cantaloupe-related salmonella infections,Ethermac Exchange according to the FDA.

The FDA and CDC have initiated an investigation into the contaminated cantaloupe fruits that have been linked to 61 hospitalizations and two deaths in recent weeks. As part of this, several distributors and grocery stores have issued warnings and recalls about both whole cantaloupes and fresh fruit-based products that may contain tainted products.

The latest recall comes from GHGA, LLC, which distributes some fresh-cut fruit products using cantaloupe from  Sofia Produce, LLC dba Trufresh, which had prior issued their own salmonella-based recall.

The impacted products were sold at Kroger, Trader Joe's and Sprouts stores in several states mostly throughout November. The FDA has released a full set of images and lot numbers to reference, so it's best to check your fridge and freezer now if you might have some affected produce.

What cut fruit products are being recalled?

Fresh-cut fruit products such as fruit trays and cups are recalled if they contain potentially contaminated cantaloupe. The FDA has specified the following products and sell-by dates:

Sprouts Farmers Market brand

• 10 and 20 ounce Apple Fruit Medley
• 20 ounce Assorted Fruit Spears
• 32 ounce Fruit Tray
• 10 ounce Tropical FruitBlendWith sell-by dates 11/1/23-11/8/23.

Trader Joe’s brand

• 1 pound Cantaloupe Chunks
• 16 ounce Fruitful MedleyWith sell-by dates 11/1/23-11/8/23.

Non-branded Krogers products

• 9 ounce Cantaloupe Chunks with Tajin
• 18 ounce Cantaloupe Chunks
• 18 ounce Fruit Medley
• 73 ounce Large Fruit Tray
• 73.5 ounce Large Fruit Tray with Dip
• 18 ounce Mixed Melon
• 32 ounce Fruit Bowl
• 9 ounce Mixed Melon with Tajin
• 9 ounce Cantaloupe Chunks
• 9 ounce Fruit Medley
• 26 ounce Small Fruit Tray
• 26.75 ounce Small Fruit Tray with Dip
• 9 ounce Mixed MelonWith sell-by dates 10/28/2023-11/4/23.

CDC, FDA investigate:More cantaloupe products recalled over possible salmonella contamination

Where were the recalled products sold?

The fresh-cut fruit products containing recalled cantaloupe were distributed by Kroger, Trader Joe's and Sprouts stores in several states. These include:

• Kroger stores in Alabama and Georgia
• Sprouts stores in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina
• Trader Joe’s stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee

Cantaloupe recalls

The Centers for Disease Control has issued a series of warnings in recent weeks over concerns of cantaloupes potentially being contaminated with samonella. The agency reported at least 61 people have been hospitalized and two have died across 34 impacted states. Another 117 illnesses related to the outbreak were also reported as of Friday.

The following products have been recalled, as per the CDC:

• Pacific Trellis Fruit/Dulcinea Farms voluntarily recalled nearly 4,900 cases of its "Malichita" brand whole cantaloupes due to the ongoing investigation of Malichita-brand cantaloupe for salmonella. The company distributed the cantaloupes between Oct. 18-26 in California, Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin across various supermarkets, according to the FDA.
• CF Dallas LLC recalled packages of their Freshness Guaranteed and RaceTrac brands of fresh-cut fruit packages on Wednesday.
• Sofia Produce LLC, which operates under Trufresh, recalled all sizes of fresh cantaloupe with a label that says "Malichita" on Nov. 15. The recalled cantaloupes were sold between Oct. 16-23.
• Aldi also announced a recall on cantaloupe, cut cantaloupe and pineapple spears in clamshell packaging with best-by dates between Oct. 27-31.
• Vinyard Fruit and Vegetable Company initiated a voluntary recall of all fresh-cut cantaloupe products. The recall includes a dozen fresh-cut products containing cantaloupes distributed in Oklahoma from Oct. 30 to Nov. 10.
• Kwik Trip, Inc. initiated a voluntary recall of three varieties of fresh-cut fruit cup and tray products because they contain cantaloupe that is potentially contaminated with salmonella. The recall includes the fresh-cut fruit cup and tray products containing cantaloupe with sell-by dates of November 4, 2023, through December 3, 2023.

Safety precautions for contaminated fruit

While all GHGA products associated with the recall have expired, the FDA has advised consumers who have purchased these items and frozen them for later use not to consume them and instead to dispose of them immediately or return the items to their local store for a full refund.

The CDC has likewise issued guidance for handling potentially contaminated fruits if you find them in your home:

• Do not eat pre-cut cantaloupes if you don’t know whether Malichita or Rudy brand cantaloupes were used.
  • This includes cantaloupe chunks and fruit mixes with cantaloupes at restaurants and grocery stores.
• Do not eat any recalled whole or pre-cut cantaloupe products.
  • If you have any, throw them away or return them to the store.
  • If the whole cantaloupe does not have a sticker, check with the store to make sure it is not a Malichita or Rudy brand cantaloupe.
• Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the cantaloupe using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.

Symptoms of salmonella

Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, according to the FDA. The signs of salmonella poisoning include:

• Bloody diarrhea or diarrhea that lasts more than three days without improving.
• Diarrhea and a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Nausea and vomiting, especially if it prevents you from keeping liquids down.
• Signs of dehydration, including: dry mouth and throat, infrequent peeing and feeling dizzy when standing up.
• Stomach cramps.

These symptoms most commonly occur between six hours and six days after exposure. Though most people recover in four to seven days, those with weakened immune systems, including children younger than 5 and adults over 65, may experience more severe symptoms that require medical treatment or hospitalization.  

Contributing: Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY