Fruit products sold in Iowa linked to salmonella outbreak

National public health officials are warning consumers that fruit products sold in Iowa could be contaminated with salmonella.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently has added Iowa to the list of Midwest states where infected fresh cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe and fresh-cut fruit medley were recalled from store selves.

According to the CDC, these products have been linked to a multistate outbreak that has sickened 60 people across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio.

Caito Foods announced earlier this week it voluntarily was recalling products produced in its Indianapolis facility. A full list of these products - which were sold at stores including Costco, Trader Joes, Walgreens, Walmart and Whole Foods - can be found on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website.

Retailers should not sell these products, public health officials warned.

Consumers also are encouraged to check their refrigerators or freezers and throw out any contaminated food, if it is present.

Do not eat recalled products. Eating products contaminated with salmonella - a bacterial infection - can cause serious illness.

The bacteria also has been known to cause fatal infections in young children, elderly individuals or others with weakened immune symptoms.

Symptoms of salmonella infection in healthy individuals include:

l fever

l nausea

l vomiting

l abdominal pain.

Individuals seeking more information can call 1-844-467-7278 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., Monday through Friday, or between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday.

l Comments: (319) 368-8536; michaela.ramm@thegazette.com