On December 1, 2017, the Washington Department of Health announced an outbreak of Salmonella Newport associated with fresh cut watermelon and cantaloupe sold between October 25 and December 1, 2017 in Washington and Oregon at Rosauers, Central Market, QFC, and Fred Meyer.1 As a result, fresh cut watermelon and cantaloupe were recalled from QFC and Fred Meyer, with a product withdrawal date of December 5, 2017.2

By the conclusion of the outbreak, 24 people from Washington and three people from Oregon had been infected with Salmonella as a result of consuming contaminated fruit. All cases were diagnosed with Salmonella Newport with a PFGE pattern of JJPX01.0595. Known onset

dates ranged from October 28 to December 6, 2017. Most cases reported purchasing cut cantaloupe and/or watermelon from Fred Meyer and QFC grocery stores.

Traceback investigation of the cantaloupe and watermelon concluded that Fred Meyer and QFC were supplied by Mary’s Harvest Fresh Foods. An environmental sample taken at Mary’s Harvest Fresh Foods by FDA inspectors yielded the outbreak strain of Salmonella and was highly genetically related by whole genome sequencing to clinical isolates collected from confirmed cases.

Salmonella:  Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of Salmonella outbreaks. The Salmonella lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of Salmonella and other foodborne illness outbreaks and have recovered over $650 million for clients.  Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation.  Our Salmonella lawyers have litigated Salmonella cases stemming from outbreaks traced to a variety of foods, such as cantaloupe, tomatoes, ground turkey, salami, sprouts, cereal, peanut butter, and food served in restaurants.  The law firm has brought Salmonella lawsuits against such companies as Cargill, ConAgra, Peanut Corporation of America, Sheetz, Taco Bell, Subway and Wal-Mart.

If you or a family member became ill with a Salmonella infection, including Reactive Arthritis or Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark Salmonella attorneys for a free case evaluation.