FDA identifies Chamberlain Farms as Indiana farm tied to Salmonella outbreak
FDA identifies Chamberlain Farms as Indiana farm tied to Salmonella outbreak
Owensville, IN-based Chamberlain Farms is recalling cantaloupe in connection to a Salmonella outbreak that has caused 178 illnesses and two deaths, the Food and Drug Administration announced late Aug. 22.
As early as Aug. 17, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said an Indiana farm was withdrawing product from the marketplace in connection to the outbreak, but it took until Aug. 22 for the company’s name to be identified.
“After officials from the FDA, CDC and the state of Indiana briefed Chamberlain Farms on the current status of the investigation, Chamberlain Farms made the decision to recall its cantaloupe from the market place,” FDA said in its press statement.
“Earlier Chamberlain Farms had agreed to withdraw the cantaloupe from the market, and to cease distributing cantaloupes for the rest of the growing season,” FDA said. “However, the decision to formally recall the product will facilitate removal of the product from the market and ensure the widest possible awareness of this action.”
FDA says the farm’s cantaloupe may be just one source of contamination.
“The investigation into this outbreak continues in order to determine whether there are other possible sources of the outbreak.” The agency’s Coordinated Outbreak Response and Evaluation (CORE) network is working directly with the FDA field offices, the CDC and state and local agencies on this incident and will continue to keep the public informed, FDA said.
CDC reports 62 people have been hospitalized of the 178 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium. Two deaths in Kentucky have been tied to the outbreak.
FDA said records show the cantaloupe was initially shipped to Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin. People with Salmonella infections have been identified in 21 states.
