Fresh Fruit Recalled Over Salmonella in Florida
- Fresh fruit sold in Florida was recalled after concerns about potential Salmonella contamination emerged. - The recall covers fruit sold in four states, including Florida, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. - Consumers are urged to check purchases, avoid consumption, and follow FDA guidance for returns or disposal. (patch.com)
A cantaloupe recall tied to possible Salmonella contamination reached Florida after Ayco Farms pulled fruit sold in four states. (fda.gov, msn.com) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the recall covers 8,302 cartons of whole cantaloupes distributed in Florida, California, New York and Pennsylvania. Ayco Farms initiated the recall on March 24, 2026. (foodsafetynews.com, financialcontent.com) The Food and Drug Administration later classified the action as a Class I recall, the agency’s most serious category, used when exposure could cause serious health problems or death. Media reports on April 22 and April 23 highlighted that classification after the enforcement report became public. (msn.com, fox5atlanta.com) Salmonella is a bacteria that can spread through food and cause diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, usually within 12 to 72 hours after exposure. The Food and Drug Administration says children younger than 5, older adults and people with weakened immune systems face the highest risk of severe illness. (fda.gov, fda.gov) Produce recalls draw extra scrutiny because cutting or peeling fruit does not reliably remove germs that may be on the rind. The Food and Drug Administration has separately warned that Salmonella can contaminate produce during growing, packing, processing or transport. (yahoo.com, fda.gov) Ayco Farms said on April 10 that there was “no active recall” and “no product in market” because cantaloupes have a refrigerated shelf life of about 30 days and customer notices had gone out in March. The company said the enforcement report timing reflected federal reporting protocol rather than fruit still being sold. (morningstar.com, finance.yahoo.com) The Food and Drug Administration’s recall pages say consumers who still have recalled produce should not eat it and should follow seller or agency instructions for disposal or refunds. Food safety notices about this cantaloupe recall have said there were no illnesses reported at the time of publication. (fda.gov, foodpoisoningbulletin.com) For Florida shoppers, the practical question is simple: if a whole cantaloupe from late March is still in the kitchen, check where it came from before cutting it. The federal recall is now on the books, even as Ayco Farms says the fruit should already be out of circulation. (patch.com, morningstar.com)
