Two Minnesota companies are recalling cut cantaloupe due to potential salmonella contamination, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced.

The cantaloupe products were sold at locations including regional convenience stores, delis and at Caribou locations at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

However, the recalled cantaloupe products are now past their “use-by” dates — so consumers are not likely to still find them for sale.

Health officials say that consumers who purchased the recalled fruits and still have them should throw them away and wash surfaces that touched them with hot, soapy water or in a dishwasher.

The Minnesota companies issuing the recalls are Bix Produce of Little Canada and Cut Fruit Express of Inver Grove Heights.

Bix Produce of Little Canada, Minn., is issuing a voluntary cantaloupe recall. (Courtesy of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration)

Bix Produce voluntarily recalled their Grab N’ Go containers of cut cantaloupe and mixed fruit cups. The affected products were distributed from Oct. 19 through Oct. 20, 2023, and sold in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin at convenience stores, delis and business cafes. Since these products are beyond their usable shelf-life, they should no longer be available.

For more information on the Bix Produce recall go to the FDA’s website at fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bix-produce-issues-safety-alert-cut-cantaloupe-products-due-potential-salmonella-contamination.

In addition, Cut Fruit Express Inc. has recalled Caribou Coffee Fruit Mix CHPG 6.5 ounce and Cut Fruit Express Brand of 6.5 ounce-, 15 ounce-, 16 ounce- and 32-ounce packages of fruit mx containing cantaloupes. They also have recalled food service packages of 5-pound trays and 10-pound bags as well as the 25-pound pails.

Caribou Coffee Fruit Mix CHPG 6.5 ounce was distributed from Caribou Stores at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Caribou locations. The product is in a clear plastic package with a “use-by” date of Nov. 4, 2023.

Cut Fruit Express Inc. of Inver Grove Heights, MN, is recalling cantaloupe products. (Courtesy of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration)

The remainder of the recalled “Fresh Cut Fruit Mix containing Cantaloupes” under Cut Fruit Express and food service packaging was distributed through in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illlinois through retail and food service delivery. Those “use-by” dates were Nov. 4, Nov. 5 and Nov. 6.

For more information on the Fruit Express recall go to the FDA’s website at fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/cut-fruit-express-recalls-fresh-cut-fruit-mix-containing-cantaloupe-because-possible-health-risk.

The recalls come after a nationwide recall prompted by nearly 100 people in 32 states getting sick from the contaminated fruits. Arizona, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio have the highest number of cases, according to U.S. health officials.

Two people have died of the salmonella-related infections in Minnesota and 45 people are hospitalized nationwide.

Most of those infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps within six hours to six days after consuming food contaminated with the bacteria. Illnesses generally last from four to seven days.

Those most vulnerable include children, people older than 65 and those with weakened immune systems; these groups may develop severe illnesses that require medical care or hospitalization.

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