By STAN MADDUX

Indiana Correspondent

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The number of states where pre-cut melons are being recalled because of potential salmonella bacteria contamination is up to 23; the 60 people reported to have been sickened from eating the fruit are, so far, from just five Midwest states.

That’s according to a June 15 notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is continuing to try to find out if the pre-cut melon wound up at more locations.

The product started being removed from shelves in stores such as Kroger and Walmart on June 9 under a voluntary recall by Caito Foods in Indianapolis, where melon is cut, packaged and shipped to stores. Caito also stopped producing and distributing pre-cut melon during the investigation by the company and the U.S Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

According to the CDC, tracking and other data indicated Caito was a likely source of the contamination. The recall is on freshly cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe and mixed fruit medley containing one of the melons from the Caito facility in Indianapolis.

Caito Foods cited the potential of those products being infected with salmonella for its voluntary recall. According to the CDC, the products were packaged in clear, plastic clamshell containers. Initially, the products were found to have been distributed to just a handful of states like Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio.

Now, the recall is in effect in Tennessee, Iowa, Missouri, Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Kansas, Nebraska, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, South Dakota, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Minnesota and California.

All of the illnesses were reported from April 30-May 28, and 32 of the 60 were in Michigan. Indiana had 11 illnesses suspected to be linked to the pre-cut melon, followed by Missouri with 10 and six from Illinois. Ohio had one, according to the CDC.

No deaths have been reported. Calls and emails to Caito Foods seeking comment were not returned by press time.

According to the CDC, 66 percent of the people were hospitalized and those sickened were between ages 1 to 97.

The pre-cut melon was also sold in other stores including Costco, Jay C, Payless, Owen’s, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Walgreens and Whole Foods/Amazon. Stores were also advised not to sell pre-cut melon from Gordon Food Service and SpartanNash Distribution.

According to the CDC, the recall was put into effect because of the potential for the products shipped between April 17-June 7 to still be on store shelves or in the refrigerators of consumers.

The agency advised people who come across those products at home to seek a refund or if they don’t know where they were purchased, to simply throw the food away.

Salmonella poisoning can sometimes be fatal in young children, frail or elderly people and those with weakened immune systems. In rare circumstances, salmonella can get into the bloodstream and produce severe illnesses like arterial infections and arthritis.

Consumers seeking information may call the FDA at 844-467-7278 Monday through Friday from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. (CST) and Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m.-6 p.m.