A salmonella outbreak affecting consumers in 10 states has been traced to home-delivered Metabolic Meals, according to a recent update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The meals were sent to customers on July 28 and may still be present in some home freezers.
“Investigators are working to determine a specific source (within the meals) of contamination,” the CDC said.
So far, there are 16 confirmed cases connected to this outbreak, with seven people hospitalized. California and Missouri each have three reported cases. Georgia and Minnesota each have two, while Texas, Illinois, Washington, Arkansas, Connecticut, and Wisconsin each report one case.
“The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and this outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses,” the CDC said. “This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.”
The CDC named four specific meals involved in their investigation.
According to national estimates, about 1.2 million people contract salmonella annually in the United States. Of those affected, approximately 26,400 require hospitalization—often due to severe symptoms such as bloody diarrhea—and about 420 die each year.
Symptoms of salmonella infection can appear between six hours and six days after consuming contaminated food. These symptoms include diarrhea; vomiting; fever over 102 degrees; and dehydration. Illness typically lasts four to seven days.
