An Indianapolis-based company has issued a recall for melon products sold in 16 states after being linked to a salmonella outbreak.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday that the recall includes cut watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe produced by Caito Foods LLC. The fruit has been sold under various brands or labels at Kroger, Walmart, Trader Joe's, Target and Whole Foods.
The affected states are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
The products were packaged in clear, plastic clamshell containers.
Health officials advise consumers to check packaging to determine if the melon was distributed by Caito Foods, and, if so, not to eat it. They advise stores to pull the products from shelves.
Authorities say 93 people have been sickened, 23 of whom were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Ohio has been the most affected state with 27 illnesses reported since early March, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Salmonella symptoms include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps.
Last summer Caito issued a similar recall on cut melon products. 77 people were sickened in nine states including Ohio. No deaths were reported.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
