News and Stories

This update does not apply to any Markon First Crop, Ready-Set-Serve, or Markon Essentials products.

Caito Foods, LLC, of Indianapolis, IN is voluntarily recalling fresh cut watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe and fresh-cut mixed fruit containing any one of these melons produced at their facility in Indianapolis due to potential contamination with Salmonella. The recall was issued after it was advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that melon products produced by Caito Foods are the likely source of a multistate Salmonella outbreak. Caito Foods has ceased producing and distributing the affected product as the company and officials at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continue to investigate.

The affected products were packaged in clear, plastic clamshell containers, shipped between April 17 and June 7, 2018, and distributed in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio. These products were sold at Costco, Jay C, Kroger, Payless, Owen’s, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Walgreens, Walmart and Whole Foods/Amazon. Consumers are advised not to eat the recalled products—please see attached press release for a full list of the products included in this recall.

What we know:

• CDC is reporting 60 cases of Salmonella Adelaide illnesses from five states
  • Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio
  • 31 people have been hospitalized, no deaths have been reported
• Illness onset dates range from April 30 to May 28, 2018
  • Ill people range in age from less than 1 year to 67
  • Illnesses that occurred after May 20, 2018 might not yet be reported
• Epidemiologic and preliminary traceback evidence indicates that pre-cut melon supplied by Caito Foods is the likely source
  • 25 of 39 people interviewed reported eating pre-cut melon purchased from grocery stores
• Caito Foods has issued a recall of fresh cut melon products due to possible health risk
  • Affected products were distributed to eight states: Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio
    • CDC is urging people not to consume pre-cut melons, including fruit salads, from any of the following stores in those states: Costco, Jay C, Kroger, Payless, Owen’s, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Walgreens, Walmart and Whole Foods/Amazon
    • As the investigation develops, additional grocery stores may be added to the warning

Click here to review the FDA press release with a list of affected products. Consumers with questions may call Caito Foods at 844-467-7278, Monday through Friday, 6am to 10pm CT and Saturday and Sunday 6am to 6pm CT.

For more information on this ongoing investigation please click here to visit the CDC page. 

Markon is closely following this outbreak investigation and will continue to update members when more information becomes available.

Angie Ramirez

Food Safety Program Manager

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