A Salmonella outbreak linked to pre-cut melon has sickened 16 people in Kentucky. One of them, a woman from Louisville has filed a lawsuit against Kroger and Caito Foods. She spent a week in the hospital battling septicemia, a life-threatening condition that is a complication of bacterial infections.
Salmonella bacteria are found in the intestines of animals. Food becomes contaminated with Salmonella when it comes into contact with feces from an infected animal. Symptoms of a Salmonella infection, which usually develop within six to 72 hours of exposure, include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and fever.
The honeydew, watermelon and cantaloupe linked to this outbreak were produced by Caito Foods LLC of Indianapolis. Caito has issued a recall on for the melon that was cut into chunks or spears and sold separately or in mixes that contain these fruits and others. The recalled melon products were sold at Walmart, Whole Foods, Target, Kroger and Trader Joe’s.
This is the second Salmonella melon outbreak linked to Caito within the last 12 months. Ninety-three people in nine states have been sickened. They range in age from less than 1 year to 93 years old. In addition to Kentucky, illnesses have been reported in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.
In 2018, Pritzker Hageman Salmonella lawyers filed a lawsuit against Caito on behalf of an Ohio woman who was hospitalized with a pervasive Salmonella infection. She was among 77 people in nine states who were sickened by the contaminated melon.
If you are part of this outbreak and would like a free consultation with a member of our Salmonella Team, call 1 (888) 377-8900, text to 612-261-0856. Or, complete the form below. The consultation is free and there is no obligation.