A Florida produce distributor has recalled thousands of cartons of fresh cantaloupes over fears the fruit may be contaminated with Salmonella, according to the feds.
Ayco Farms Inc. is pulling 8,302 cartons of whole fresh cantaloupes that were shipped to Pennsylvania, Florida, California and New York.
The recall has been classified by the Food and Drug Administration as Class I — the most serious designation — indicating a reasonable probability that consuming the product could cause serious adverse health consequences.
The melons were sold under the Ayco brand and packaged in corrugated cardboard cartons containing six to 12 cantaloupes each, with individual fruits wrapped in food-safe plastic bags.
The affected product includes multiple lot numbers, including GC26257, GC26270, GC26288 through GC26328, as well as SCX and SGC series codes listed in the official recall notice.
The recall was initiated voluntarily by the company on March 24, with shipment recipients notified by letter, according to federal records.
No press release was issued in connection with the recall. The classification was updated to Class I on Monday.
The product was distributed only in the US, with no foreign shipments made and no cantaloupes of concern sent to government agencies.
Ayco Farms is based in Pompano Beach, Fla., according to the recall notice.
Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections, particularly when consumed through contaminated food.
Once ingested, it can invade the intestinal tract and, in severe cases, enter the bloodstream, leading to more dangerous complications.
Symptoms typically develop within hours to a few days and can include fever, diarrhea, nausea and abdominal cramps.
While many healthy adults recover without treatment, the infection can be far more severe in young children, elderly individuals and those with weakened immune systems.
In more serious cases, Salmonella can trigger dehydration, hospitalization or invasive infections that spread beyond the intestines.
These complications can require intensive medical care and, in rare instances, can be fatal.
Because the bacteria can survive on food surfaces and spread easily through handling, contamination in widely distributed products — like fresh produce — raises the risk of broader outbreaks if not quickly contained.
The Post has sought comment from Ayco Farms.
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