NATIONAL (KTNV) — A peach recall has expanded to include loose peaches and peach products after 78 people have become sick in 12 states by salmonella poisoning connected to the fruit.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the update on Thursday.
As of Aug. 27, a total of 78 people were infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis in those 12 states that include Connecticut, Kentucky, and Missouri.
The Wawoma-brand peaches were identified as the likely source of infection and were sold in multiple states from June 1 to the present.
More than a dozen companies have so far recalled the peaches or products made with the fruit, including Aldi, Food Lion, Hannaford, Kroger, Target, Walmart, Wegmans and Russ Davis Wholesale.
Bagged peaches, loose fruit and in-bulk peaches, along with peach salsa sold under three brand names and labeled as Perfectly Peach Salsa, are under recall.
The FDA currently reports the possibly contaminated fruit was 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 investigation remains ongoing to identify other retailers that may have sold contaminated peaches packed or supplied by Prima Wawona or Wawona Packing Company LLC.
The CDC urges to clean and sanitize any surfaces the peaches may have come into contact with to prevent cross-contamination.
Salmonella poisoning can cause diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps between six hours and six days after exposure to the bacteria, according to the CDC.
