I'm not buying any more cantaloupe this year - PSA

[kenny]

... just in case it DID come from southwestern Indiana ...

http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/CORENetwork/ucm315879.htm

Partial snip:

A total of 141 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported from 20 states.

The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Alabama (7), Arkansas (3), California (2), Georgia (1), Illinois (17), Indiana (13), Iowa (7), Kentucky (50), Michigan (6), Minnesota (3), Missouri (9), Mississippi (2), New Jersey (1), North Carolina (3), Ohio (3), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (3), Tennessee (6), Texas (1), and Wisconsin (2).
31 persons have been hospitalized, and two deaths have been reported in Kentucky.

In the course of their investigation, state officials in Kentucky and Indiana found evidence that they believe indicate cantaloupes grown in southwestern Indiana may be a source of the ongoing Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak.

FDA officials are actively investigating potential sources of the outbreak, and will continue to update the public as more specific information becomes available.

 

[VRBeauty]

I've heard before that you should always wash the outside of a cantaloupe with a soap and a scrubby brush before cutting into it. I can't say that I always follow that advice with domestically grown fruit, although I am careful in how I handle it. Better be a lot more careful, I guess!

 

[kenny]

I've heard before that you should always wash the outside of a cantaloupe with a soap and a scrubby brush before cutting into it. I can't say that I always follow that advice with domestically grown fruit, although I am careful in how I handle it. Better be a lot more careful, I guess!

This link, or the CNN article I got it from, says in this case the inner flesh itself may be contaminated too.
http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2012/08/17/cantaloupes-linked-to-deadly-multi-state-salmonella-outbreak/?hpt=hp_c2

quote
The agency cautions consumers not try to wash the harmful bacteria off the cantaloupe, or cut through the outer surface, as contamination may be both on the inside and outside of the fruit.
endquote

But yes I DO scrub ALL ground fruits and veges well.
Cucumbers, squash, strawberries.

 

[OneFifty]

Gross. I always wash my fruits and veggies, but I can't say that I scrub them.

 

[VRBeauty]

This link, or the CNN article I got it from, says in this case the inner flesh itself may be contaminated too.
http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2012/08/17/cantaloupes-linked-to-deadly-multi-state-salmonella-outbreak/?hpt=hp_c2

quote
The agency cautions consumers not try to wash the harmful bacteria off the cantaloupe, or cut through the outer surface, as contamination may be both on the inside and outside of the fruit.
endquote

EEK! Thanks, Kenny!

 

[Gypsy]

This is a great PSA. I've had the WORST luck with melons this year as it is and planned on going melon shopping this weekend. Will have to be careful now. I'll go for a gala melon instead I think.

 

[Laila619]

As an expectant woman, I haven't eaten any canataloupe since I'm far too paranoid about listeria and salmonella. Scary stuff. There was a big listeria outbreak from tainted cantaloupes last year too.

 

[justginger]

I don't like rock melons (cantaloupes) anyway, but I wouldn't be overly concerned about an S. typhimurium infection. It's rarely fatal outside of the regularly disadvantaged groups - immunocompromised, very old, very young. Quite miserable having it though.

Now take the -murium off the typhi and you're in serious trouble.

 

[Cluless]

.............and to think I nearlly gave hubby hell for not buying any cantaloupes today when I specifically asked him to.Glad I read this before proceeding with the hell raising lol thanks for the heads up Kenny.

 

[Skippy123]

wow and I just bought 3 cantaloupes, darn I guess they will go in the trash.

 

[kenny]

Well if you can be sure they didn't come from Southwestern Indiana they're supposed to be okay.

Ask your grocer, if you trust her/him to tell the truth.

I lean towards not trusting when it comes to these kind of things.

 

[CJ2008]

Thanks Kenny. I JUST bought a cantaloupe tonight, too. So glad we didn't eat it.

 

[rainwood]

I bought some wonderful cantaloupe at the farmer's market and we've been enjoying it for several days. It's local, I know where it comes from, and it's not Indiana. I'd buy more in a heartbeat.

 

[Gypsy]

Well, I FINALLY got a good melon today. Gala. Had it for dinner with prosciutto tonight. Was excellent!

 

[TravelingGal]

I've been eating a ton of rockmelon all summer, no issues. In fact, on the day this was posted, I had one left, so I ate it. Figure chances were slim of me dying.

 

[monarch64]

I ate a piece of cantaloupe this afternoon because it came with my fried grouper sandwich from the pub down the street from my workplace. I was more worried about the grouper...I live in southcentral IN.

 

[Dancing Fire]

last week i ate 3 Costco cantaloupes and i'm still alive...

 

[partgypsy]

Dang I love canteloupe. But we buy almost all our produce from Whole Foods which lists where it is from, or farmer's market.

What about watermelon? We've been eating a ton of that too.

 

[Skippy123]

last week i ate 3 Costco cantaloupes and i'm still alive...

this made me laugh, DF you are too funny! I know, I was sad over throwing away my 3.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Dang I love canteloupe. But we buy almost all our produce from Whole Foods which lists where it is from, or farmer's market.

What about watermelon? We've been eating a ton of that too.

if your still alive then i guess the watermelon was fine... i'll eat some tonight..

 

[Dancing Fire]

last week i ate 3 Costco cantaloupes and i'm still alive...

this made me laugh, DF you are too funny! I know, I was sad over throwing away my 3.

Skippy
your just too paranoid...

 

[Deia]

Salmonella is obviously not a nice thing to have, but it won't kill you, unless you are of poor health already.

It's equally just as bad to be so paranoid about everything though, IMO I have eaten a whole watermelon last week and I am still alive, but that is not a cantaloupe!