The number of illnesses linked to a salmonella outbreak traced to fresh-cut fruit from Tailor Cut Produce has almost tripled in less than a month.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, illnesses in the outbreak caused by Salmonella Javiana have grown from 33 on Dec. 9 to 96 on Dec. 30. The cases have been confirmed through whole genome sequencing.
The fruit mix, called Fruit Luau by Tailor Cut Produce, North Brunswick, N.J., contains honeydew, cantaloupe and pineapple, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The company recalled the fresh-cut mix and other products containing the cut fruit.
The company distributes the products to restaurants, hotels, schools, institutional food operators and other foodservice companies in Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, according to the FDA.
Illnesses were reported in those states, as well others who traveled there from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota, Virginia and Washington.
Health authorities in the 11 states with cases involved in the outbreak might report higher numbers of cases, but the CDC reports only those cases confirmed through whole genome sequencing, according to the FDA update on Jan. 2.
The FDA is collecting records to support a traceback investigation, according to the recall update.
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