FDA Expands Cantaloupe Recall After Salmonella Infection Rate Doubles

(NEWSNet/AP) — U.S. health officials recalled three additional brands of cantaloupe Friday as the number of people sickened by salmonella more than doubled this week.

Rudy brand whole cantaloupe, Freshness Guaranteed brand and RaceTrac pre-cut cantaloupe joined the list of recalled products Friday.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration's initial recall included Malichita brand whole cantaloupe, Vinyard brand pre-cut cantaloupe and Aldi whole cantaloupe and pre-cut fruit products.

Nearly 100 people in 32 states have fallen ill from the contaminated fruit. Arizona, Missouri, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin have the highest number of cases. Two people have died of the infections in Minnesota, and 45 people are hospitalized nationwide.

Health officials say anyone who bought the recalled fruit should discard it and wash surfaces that came into contact with it, with hot, soapy water or in the dishwasher.

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