Of the 78 reported cases of illness being returned to the potentially infected fruit between June 29 and August 3, 23 were hospitalized, the CDC reported. No deaths were reported. Victims ranged in age from one to 92 years old.
The agency warns that more salmonella poisonings are possible. “Illness may not be reported yet because of the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported. This takes an average of 2 to 4 weeks,” the CDC said.
“Epidemiological evidence indicates that peaches are the probable source of this outbreak.”
Sack peaches, loose fruit and peaches in bulk, along with peach salsa sold under three brand names and labeled as Perfectly Peach Salsa, are among memorabilia.
“If you can not tell where the peaches come from, then do not eat them,” the CDC warned Thursday on its website. “Do not eat food made with these peaches.”
Clean and sanitize all surfaces with which peaches may come in contact to prevent cross-contamination, such as cutting boards, cutting machines, countertops, refrigerators and storage bins, urges the CDC.
The FDA reported that the possibly contaminated fruit has so far been distributed to retailers in 34 states: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland , Maine. , Michigan, Minnesota, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin.
“The FDA’s traceback investigation is ongoing to identify the source of this outbreak and determine if potentially contaminated product has been shipped to additional retailers,” according to the CDC.
Public health and regulatory officials in several states and Canada are also investigating infections linked to the peaches.
Salmonella poisoning, according to the CDC, can cause diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps between six hours and six days after exposure to the bacterium, and last between four and seven days. People who are under the age of five, over the age of 65 and with weakened immune systems are more likely to have a serious illness.
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