A Florida-based produce distributor is recalling over 8,300 cartons of fresh cantaloupes due to potential salmonella contamination, officials have reported.
Ayco Farms Inc. is removing these products, which have been shipped to states including Pennsylvania, Florida, California, and New York.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has classified the recall as Class I, meaning there’s a significant risk that consuming these cantaloupes could lead to serious health issues.
These cantaloupes, sold under the Ayco brand, were packed in cardboard boxes, each containing six to twelve cantaloupes that were individually wrapped for safety.
The recalled melons come from several lot numbers that include GC26257, GC26270, GC26288 through GC26328, as well as codes from the SCX and SGC series.
The recall was voluntarily initiated by Ayco Farms on March 24, and all recipients of these shipments were promptly informed via letter, according to federal documentation.
No formal press release has been issued regarding this recall, although the FDA elevated its classification to Class I as of Monday.
It’s worth noting that the cantaloupes in question were distributed solely within the U.S., and none were dispatched to government agencies.
Ayco Farms is located in Pompano Beach, Florida, as indicated in the recall details.
Salmonella bacteria can trigger severe and potentially lethal infections, especially when contaminated food is consumed.
If ingested, salmonella can affect the intestinal tract and, in more serious cases, enter the bloodstream, leading to a range of complications.
Symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain can show up anywhere from hours to days after eating affected food.
While many healthy adults may recover without treatment, those at higher risk—like young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals—may experience heavier impacts.
In rare occurrences, salmonella can lead to severe dehydration, hospitalization, or invasive infections that progress beyond the intestines.
These complications might necessitate extensive medical intervention and can, in extreme cases, result in death.
Due to the bacterium’s resilience on food surfaces and its ease of transmission through handling, the call for a rapid response is critical to mitigate the risk of broader infection from affected fresh produce.
The newspaper has reached out to Ayco Farms for any further comments.
