Warning issued to rockmelon consumers

PREGNANT women, infants and the elderly are being warned not to eat rockmelon after fears of a possible salmonella outbreak.

Food Standards Australia said state and territory authorities were investigating cases of salmonella possibly associated with the fruit following an increase in infections.

“While we wait for further information, the best advice is that consumers, especially infants, the elderly, pregnant women or people with compromised immune systems, should not consume rockmelon,” it said in a statement.

“FSANZ will continue to work with the state and territory enforcement agencies and the Federal Department of Health and update its advice to consumers.”

Salmonella, the name of a group of bacteria, is one of the most common causes of food poisoning. Usually, symptoms last 4-7 days and most people get better without treatment. But, Salmonella can cause more serious illness in older adults, infants, and persons with chronic diseases. Salmonella is killed by cooking and pasteurization.

Incubation Period: 12-72 hours
Symptoms: Diarrhoea, fever, abdominal cramps, vomiting
Duration of Illness: 4-7 days
What Do I Do? Drink plenty of fluids and get rest. If you cannot drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration or if your symptoms are severe, call your doctor. Antibiotics may be necessary if the infection spreads from the intestines to the blood stream.

How does it happen?

Food Safety Information Council explains in Australia salmonellosis tends to be more prevalent in the warmer, northern parts of the country and eating food that has been kept in the temperature danger zone for too long allowing the bacteria to grow is often the cause of the illness.

Share your comments below.

Image via shutterstock

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.

19 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 15 Aug 2021
    1:18 pm
Amazing that this can happen to fruit.

- - mom94125 said
  - 05 Sep 2016
    8:10 pm
hmm will remember this. Is the information still current?

- - mom81879 said
  - 29 Aug 2016
    8:29 am
Say what?! I just polished off half a rockmelon in just the last couple of days and it was delicious. With strawberries, grapes and plain yoghurt

- - ella12 said
  - 16 Aug 2016
    12:15 pm
This is a real worry, thanks for the update.

- - tessie said
  - 14 Aug 2016
    12:05 pm
This is a bit scary to think you could get ill from eating rockmelon. I think I’ll just go without for a while.

- - mom71820 said
  - 07 Aug 2016
    4:18 pm
Bit scary. I’ll definitely just avoid it.

- - mom90758 said
  - 04 Aug 2016
    11:53 am
Better to avoid thus. I’ll do that. Thank you!

- - rovermum said
  - 04 Aug 2016
    10:52 am
And only last week I was excited to see rockmelon on the shelf. I didn’t purchase though as I felt it might be a bit early to be at its best. I agree too, all people should just avoid eating it at the moment to be safe.

- - june11 said
  - 04 Aug 2016
    12:50 am
All people should not be eating the rockmelon. I hope they find the exact source of this, whether it is one particular garden or the cold storage facility.

- - mom90758 said
  - 03 Aug 2016
    8:05 pm
Oh! This is scary! Is this a warning for all States and Territories in Australia?

- - BellaB said
  - 03 Aug 2016
    11:30 am
I didn’t know you could get salmonella from fruit!

- - mom112217 said
  - 03 Aug 2016
    9:04 am
Thanks for the article,best to avoid it!

- - mum4107 said
  - 03 Aug 2016
    5:42 am
That’s very surprising. I never would have thought that possible

- - mom134803 said
  - 03 Aug 2016
    4:04 am
Rock melon and Salmonella ??!! Never heard of that one ! I better watch out as we eat Rock melons every week !

- - mom101628 said
  - 02 Aug 2016
    11:31 pm
Never thought a fresh fruit like this with a good thick skin could be a cause of salmonella. When you are travelling overseas it is suggested you only eat fruits with a skin on them that you peel. Of course you wouldn’t eat one pre-peeled for you. I will watchout for this with interest.

- - Kata said
  - 02 Aug 2016
    11:04 pm
What a shame because I enjoy having rockmelon now and then, although the rest of my family don’t have a taste for it. But i have to wonder how many other fruits have been “kept in the temperature danger zone for too long”….

- - tania_hardman said
  - 02 Aug 2016
    10:53 pm
not really rockmelon season down around my area anyway, but is still a worry – you think you’re being healthy and bom-bom :/

- - curlytops said
  - 02 Aug 2016
    10:30 pm
you wonder what is going on at the moment as there are far too many things like this happening. why are food safety standards not in place and being monitored and practiced?

- - Missey Grace said
  - 02 Aug 2016
    9:37 pm
Oh dear, this is not good because we love rockmelon. Will have to wait till this is all over then.