Salmonella threat: Cantaloupe melons in breakfast buffets
All-inclusive offers are a convenient way to enjoy a vacation abroad. You don't have to worry about shopping, and you avoid spending extra money in restaurants. In hotels worldwide, a continental breakfast is often served buffet-style, available to guests during select morning hours. Unfortunately, this setup can encourage the growth of Salmonella bacteria, particularly with one popular fruit.
In 2023, a significant Salmonella outbreak occurred in the United States. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), an American government agency responsible for monitoring and combating infectious diseases, recorded 407 cases across 44 states caused by Salmonella from September 2023 to December 2024. As a result of the infection, 158 people were hospitalized, and six people died (source: Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Cantaloupes (November 2023), www.fda.gov).
In nearly half the cases, the culprit was the juicy melon
An analysis of infections associated with melons indicates that from 1954 to 2023, these fruits were responsible for 43 out of 60 Salmonella outbreaks in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Among them, cantaloupe melons caused about 26 outbreaks of infections, accounting for approximately 43% of all outbreaks.
Cantaloupes may become contaminated at any time during the production process. This includes growth (preharvest), postharvest handling and packing, transport and retail, and during final food preparation. In addition, contamination can occur via multiple pathways, such as direct contact of the pathogen with the melon exterior, transfer to the inner flesh of the fruit, or as a result of postharvest cross-contamination (e.g. cutting of the fruit) (source: sciencedirect.com).
This sweet and juicy fruit, which often appears on breakfast buffets in hotels, creates a perfect environment for bacterial growth. During the cutting and peeling of the melon skin, bacteria can be transferred to the flesh, and room temperature further promotes their multiplication.
What are the symptoms of Salmonella infection?
One certainty is that Salmonella bacteria can effectively ruin a vacation. The illness manifests 12 to 72 hours after consuming contaminated food, presenting abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and high fever. Such symptoms usually subside after 4 to 7 days, but in some instances, medical intervention is necessary.
The most at risk are children under five years of age, the elderly, and pregnant women. In these cases, the disease can have much more severe symptoms, and complications such as dehydration, sepsis, or extraintestinal infections are possible.
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