U.S. food safety officials are urging consumers not to eat cantaloupe due to the risk of illness as they investigate an outbreak of salmonella infections.
The number of reported infections has more than doubled in the week since the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention first announced the outbreak on Nov. 10.
At least 99 people in 32 states, including North Carolina, have gotten sick from the bacteria, and at least 45 of them have been hospitalized. Two deaths were reported by health authorities in Minnesota, the CDC said in an update on Friday.
The number of brands involved in the recall include Rudy brand whole cantaloupes, Freshness Guaranteed brand, and RaceTrac brand pre-cut cantaloupe, in addition to some Vinyard and Aldi fruit products.
Recalled cantaloupes may have a sticker that says “Rudy” or “Malichita” with the number 4050 and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique,” the CDC said.
People infected with salmonella usually experience diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, with symptoms beginning between 6 hours and 6 days after consuming the bacteria.