Boston (eCanadaNow) - More cases of salmonella have been linked to tainted melons in the state of Washington and abroad.

The nationwide outbreak of salmonella from the tainted melons has stretched across 16 states in the U.S., as well as in Canada.

The most recent cases have been hitting elderly folks, as the number of cases is quickly nearing 50.

The tainted melons were grown and packed by Agropecuaria Montelibano, a Honduran company.

The U.S. FDA has issued an import alert.  Food-service operators and grocers have been ordered to remove the melons from their stores and stock.

Health officials have stated it is important to fully clean the melons before being cut up and eaten, even if they are not the tainted melons.