California no longer among states affected by Salmonella outbreak tied to pre-cut melons

(KGTV) - California is no longer on the list of states affected by a salmonella outbreak tied by pre-cut melons.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported at least 60 people have become ill in recent weeks after eating pre-cut melons sold at Walmart, Costco, Whole Foods and other stores. Thirty-one people have been hospitalized due to the outbreak, the CDC said.

On Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration updated its list of states where the potentially contaminated melons were distributed, and it included California.

However, the FDA announced Friday that the "retail location in California was removed."

The updated list of states (as of June 15) now includes: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Last week, distributor Caito Foods, LLC issued a voluntarily recall for pre-cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe and mixed fruit containing those melons.

The recall extends to both retailers and consumers, since the product could still be on store shelves. The affected fruit was sold in clear plastic containers.

Click here for more information on the outbreak and a full list of recalled products and retailers where the products were sold

While investigators try to determine the source of the salmonella outbreak, consumers are being urged to throw any affected products away.