Urgent Recall: Cantaloupe Pulled From Stores Due to Listeria Contamination

If you recently bought a pre-cut cantaloupe, you may want to check the labeling. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a recall for fresh-cut cantaloupe due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

The affected produce originated from Wholesale Produce Supply in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was sold to distributors in Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin; it may also have been distributed to other states. The cantaloupe was sold under the "Harvest Cuts" and "Fresh and Finest" brand names at traditional grocery stores.

The cantaloupe was sold in plastic clamshell containers with the brand names "Harvest Cuts" and "Fresh and Finest," labeled on the packaging. According to the release, the recalled cantaloupe was also mixed into containers that include other fresh-cut fruits.

The Listeria contamination was revealed during a routine sampling program. Per the FDA, no illnesses linked to this recall have been reported to date. Wholesale Produce Supply has suspended production and distribution of the affected lots as it continues investigating the contamination.

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause listeriosis. Symptoms of listeriosis vary depending on the severity but may include vomiting, muscle aches, fever, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Symptoms can last from one to three days. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled cantaloupe are urged to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Those with questions or concerns can contact Wholesale Produce Supply at (612) 378-2025 and ask for Steve Foster, vice president of food safety & QA.