Food agencies advise consumers not to eat specific melons due to Salmonella risk

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has joined the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in England and Wales in advising consumers not to eat specific melons, due to the risk of contamination with Salmonella.

This advice follows some recent Salmonella cases of illness in the UK, where the possible source is thought to be whole honeydew, cantaloupe and galia melons originating from Costa Rica, Honduras or Brazil, bought on or before 28 May 2021. Only those types of melons listed are affected, and consumers may be able to identify the country of origin from a sticker on the fruit. If consumers are not sure about the country of origin, they are advised to dispose of the fruit as a precaution.

Both agencies are aware that a large number of UK retailers may have stocked the affected melons, which have now been removed from sale. FSS advise that anyone who is concerned about symptoms should contact their GP or out-of-hours service in the first instance. FSS and the FSA are working with Public Health England, Public Health Scotland and other UK health protection and food safety colleagues to continue investigations.

Source: FSS, 31 May 2021