Salmonella outbreak in cantaloupes hits Georgia

• The salmonella cases reported in Georgia range in age from 1 to 81, and are not concentrated in any one part of the state.
• At least one person in Georgia was hospitalized but has since been released.

What's happening: The recalled cantaloupe is sold in Georgia at Sprouts Farmers Market, Trader Joes, and Kroger stores.

• The cantaloupe is sold as pre-cut chunks or in fruit mixes.
• Whole cantaloupes that are also part of the recall may have a sticker that says "Malichita" or "Rudy," with the number 4050 and "Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique."

What they're saying: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is concerned about this outbreak because the illnesses associated with it are severe, including high fever, not being able to keep down liquids, and diarrhea that lasts more than three days.

• Typically, most people infected with salmonella recover without treatment in 4-7 days.

Be smart: Don't eat that cantaloupe if you don't know its brand.

• Rinsing pre-cut cantaloupe doesn't remove all the germs if it's already contaminated with salmonella.
• Germs on the cantaloupe's surface can then get onto the knife and inside the fruit when you cut into it, so wash the items and surfaces that may have touched the cantaloupe using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.

More information about the recall can be found on the FDA website.