X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

Authorities warns against rockmelon contaminated with salmonella

3 min read
Authorities warns against rockmelon contaminated with salmonella

According to the NSW, caution must always be present when preparing the fruit for children and the elderly.

After eighty cases of salmonella poisoning linked to rockmelon have been reported in Australia, Food Standards Australia and New Zealand has advised pregnant women, infants, elderly people and people with compromised immune systems to avoid the fruit.

“The link comes after a spike in Salmonella Hvittingfoss cases, a rare strain of Salmonella, across a number of states in the past weeks, with 86 cases reported nationally, 43 of them in NSW,” said a report by the Department of Primary Industries.

“Following the positive test results, confirmed by SA Health on Tuesday 2 August, the company ‘Red Dirt’ has said it will undertake a trade level recall of their product, which means it will be removed from the supply chain so consumers can be assured rockmelons currently available on shelves are not implicated in this outbreak.”

Meanwhile, talking to ABC News, Professor Phillips said, “SA Health recommends anyone with rockmelon in the house to discard it, as washing the rockmelon will not remove the salmonella, and to not consume any other rockmelon until further notice.”

Authorities warn against Rockmelon: Preparation tips

According to the NSW, caution must always be present when preparing the fruit for children and the elderly. In light of the recent salmonella outbreak, here are some important reminders:

  • Always purchase undamaged and unbruised rockmelon and if it is pre sliced ensure it is refrigerated promptly
  • Discard sliced or peeled rockmelon that has been left at room temperature for more than 2 hours
  • Wash hands thoroughly with warm soapy water before and after handling rockmelon
  • Use clean chopping boards and utensils when preparing rockmelon and thoroughly wash in hot soapy water after cutting or peeling

What is salmonellosis?

“Salmonellosis is a type of food poisoning caused by the Salmonella enterica bacterium,” says WebMD.

Although children are the most likely to be poisoned by salmonella, people with compromised immune systems and older adults are also likely to suffer severe infections.

There are many ways in which a food can be contaminated by salmonella, such has improper handling of food.

A frequent cause is a food handler who does not wash his or her hands with soap after using the bathroom.

Salmonella may also be present in pets’ feces. Reptiles, baby chicks and ducklings, and small rodents such as hamsters are particularly likely to carry Salmonella.

Symptoms of salmonellosis include loss of appetite, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. They develop 12 to 72 hours after infection, and the illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days.

Salmonellosis typically goes away on its own without treatment, but severe dehydration and diarrhea may become severe that medical care is needed.

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below or check out theAsianparent Community for more insightful parenting news and tips . 

Partner Stories
4 Good Toilet Hygiene Habits for Kids to Have Early in Life
4 Good Toilet Hygiene Habits for Kids to Have Early in Life
Flu in Singapore: Is Your Family Protected?
Flu in Singapore: Is Your Family Protected?
6 Top Ways to Prevent Diaper Rash
6 Top Ways to Prevent Diaper Rash
Experiencing Mood Swings, Irregular Periods and Weight Gain Among Other Things? Here’s What You Need to Know About Hormonal Imbalance
Experiencing Mood Swings, Irregular Periods and Weight Gain Among Other Things? Here’s What You Need to Know About Hormonal Imbalance

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

James Martinez

  • Home
  • /
  • Health
  • /
  • Authorities warns against rockmelon contaminated with salmonella
Share:
  • Baby Gets Food Poisoning From Sushi Rice, Mum Warns Other Parents

    Baby Gets Food Poisoning From Sushi Rice, Mum Warns Other Parents

  • Salmonella And Stomach Flu Outbreak At Newton Preschool Leaves 3 Children Hospitalised, 60 Affected

    Salmonella And Stomach Flu Outbreak At Newton Preschool Leaves 3 Children Hospitalised, 60 Affected

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

  • Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

    Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

  • Baby Gets Food Poisoning From Sushi Rice, Mum Warns Other Parents

    Baby Gets Food Poisoning From Sushi Rice, Mum Warns Other Parents

  • Salmonella And Stomach Flu Outbreak At Newton Preschool Leaves 3 Children Hospitalised, 60 Affected

    Salmonella And Stomach Flu Outbreak At Newton Preschool Leaves 3 Children Hospitalised, 60 Affected

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

  • Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

    Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and updates on baby care and health.