8,302 Cartons of Cantaloupe Recalled in Four States Over Salmonella Risk — FDA Gives It Top Danger Rating

In late April 2026, Ayco Farms Inc. — a produce company based in Pompano Beach, Florida — recalled 8,302 cartons of whole cantaloupe after the FDA flagged a potential salmonella contamination issue traced to the company's facility. The FDA assigned the recall its Class I designation, meaning the agency has determined there is a reasonable probability that consuming the affected product could cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

What Was Recalled

The recall covers whole cantaloupe distributed by Ayco Farms Inc., located at 2801 N. Powerline Road, Pompano Beach, Florida 33069. According to the FDA's recall notice:

• Product: Whole Cantaloupe
• Company: Ayco Farms Inc., Pompano Beach, FL
• Cartons recalled: 8,302
• Distribution period: December 12, 2025 through January 16, 2026
• States: California, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania
• Recall classification: FDA Class I
• Recall date: April 20, 2026

The FDA's Class I classification is the agency's highest level of recall risk, reserved for situations where the agency believes there is a reasonable probability that using or eating the product will cause serious health problems or death. (FDA recall classification definitions, fda.gov.)

Why Was the Recall Issued?

The FDA issued the recall following concerns about potential salmonella contamination associated with Ayco Farms' facility or product. Salmonella is a common foodborne bacteria that can cause salmonellosis — an intestinal infection that typically causes diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, and vomiting within 12 to 72 hours of eating contaminated food.

Most people with salmonella recover on their own within four to seven days, but the illness can be severe — and potentially life-threatening — in vulnerable populations including young children, elderly individuals, and people with weakened immune systems. In serious cases, the infection can spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and require hospitalization.

Ayco Farms Disputes the Recall

According to publicly available statements at the time of the recall, Ayco Farms disputes the FDA's contamination finding, saying its product never tested positive for salmonella. The company has stated the recall is precautionary.

This is not unusual in large-scale food recalls. The FDA and producers sometimes disagree on whether contamination is present, and a company may comply with a recall while formally disputing its basis. Regardless of whether contamination is ultimately confirmed, the FDA's Class I recall notice is the operative public safety guidance — meaning the agency's recommendation stands that consumers should not eat or use the recalled product.

No Confirmed Illnesses — But That's Not Always the Full Story

As of the recall date, the FDA had not confirmed any illnesses linked to this specific lot of Ayco Farms cantaloupe. That's a meaningful distinction — it means no hospitalizations or confirmed cases of salmonellosis have been directly traced to this recall.

However, food illness investigations are often delayed. Salmonella has a relatively short incubation period, but connecting an illness to a specific food source can take weeks of epidemiological investigation. The absence of confirmed cases at the time of a recall announcement does not mean no one was harmed.

If you or a family member became ill after consuming cantaloupe in late 2025 or early 2026 — particularly with symptoms consistent with salmonella — it may be worth noting when and where you purchased the cantaloupe, and preserving any packaging if you still have it.

What You Should Do

• If you have cantaloupe at home that may have been purchased between December 2025 and January 2026 in California, Florida, New York, or Pennsylvania, discard it or return it to the point of purchase.
• Do not rely on the appearance or smell of cantaloupe to determine whether it is safe — salmonella contamination generally cannot be detected by sight or smell.
• If you became ill after eating cantaloupe during this period, speak with your doctor. Describe your symptoms and the timeline.
• Keep any packaging, receipts, or photos of the product if you still have them.

Could This Lead to a Lawsuit?

Food recalls can lead to personal injury cases when someone was actually harmed. If you or a family member developed salmonella symptoms — including diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, vomiting, or more serious complications — after consuming cantaloupe around this timeframe, you may have options even if the recall was technically "precautionary."

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