Have you been saving some cantaloupe in your freezer for your next batch of smoothies? If so, you may want to hold off on using it until you read up on this important recall.
What to know about the recall
The recall happened in March, when Ayco Farms of Pompano Beach, Florida, initially recalled thousands of whole cantaloupes that were wrapped in plastic bags and packed in cartons of six to 12 melons per box, as they may have been contaminated with Salmonella. In total, 8,302 cartons were affected by the recall.
However, on April 20, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) upgraded the classification of the recall to a Class I designation. The FDA classifies recalls on a three-tiered system, ranging from Class III as the least likely to harm a person's health, to Class I as the most likely to pose a danger. The FDA defines a Class I recall as "a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death."
The cantaloupes that are a part of the initial recall include the following lot numbers:
- GC26257
- GC26270
- GC26288
- GC26289
- GC26290
- GC26294
- GC26299
- GC26301
- GC26307
- GC26308
- GC26311
- GC26312
- GC26313
- GC26318
- GC26325
- GC26326
- GC26328
- SCX2601
- SCX2606
- SCX2611
- SCX2614
- SCX2622
- SCX2625
- SCX2629
- SCX2633
- SGC2601
- SGC2602
- SGC2607
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms of a Salmonella infection can include headache, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, which usually come on within 12 to 72 hours after consuming contaminated food. The main concern is dehydration, and as the CDC added, "some people with a Salmonella infection might have diarrhea for several months."
Additionally, it added that a "small number of people with Salmonella infection develop pain in their joints called reactive arthritis. This condition can last for months or years and can lead to chronic arthritis."
Where were the cantaloupes distributed?
The cantaloupes were distributed to California, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania, and were sold between December 12, 2025, and January 16, 2026, according to a company press release. However, neither the company nor the FDA named the exact stores.
What should I do if I have this cantaloupe?
The good news is that the fruit is no longer available for purchase in stores; however, some people may have purchased it and stored it in the freezer. If you have done this, check your freezer against these lot numbers. Though the FDA did not give guidance on what to do if you purchased the affected fruit, the safest bet is to toss it.
Ayco Farms added in its statement, "All product and environmental samples have tested negative for Salmonella Newport. Ayco Farms has received zero illness complaints from customers or consumers."
