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For the latest news on the cantaloupe listeria outbreak, including updated statistics from Oct. 7, go here.
(UPDATED COVERAGE, Oct. 4, 3:42 p.m.) The number of people whose deaths are linked to Colorado cantaloupes contaminated with listeria has risen to 18, surpassing the 9 deaths attributed to salmonella-tainted peanut products several years ago.
According to an Oct. 4 update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 100 people in 20 states have been sickened in the outbreak. The contaminated cantaloupes were shipped by Granada, Colo.-based Jensen Farms.
Five people have died in Colorado, five in New Mexico, two in Texas, two in Kansas and one each in Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma.
It’s the deadliest outbreak of foodborne illness in the U.S. in more than a decade, said Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Frieden said Sept. 28 that it’s likely more illnesses will be reported.
Frieden was one of several leading U.S. health officials to speak in a phone conference Sept. 28 on the listeria outbreak. Officials speaking in the conference said they had no leads on how the pathogen showed up at Jensen Farms.
Frieden said two pregnant women were among those sickened by contaminated fruit. Both are recovering and their fetuses are not thought to be endangered, he said.
The elderly, pregnant women and those with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to listeriosis, the illness caused by listeria.
Listeriosis can strike as much as two months after people eat infected foods, Frieden said. That’s why he and others are certain the number of cases will rise. Officials also said there are a number of suspicious cases that are being investigated for possible links to the Jensen Farms contamination.
Frieden and Margaret Hamburg, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, said the outbreak demonstrates the importance of Congress fully funding the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2010.
“It’s important that we have the resources to fully implement this law,” Hamburg said.
Seventeen of the listeria infections are in Colorado, 14 in Texas, 13 in New Mexico and 11 in Oklahoma, according to CDC. People from 15 other states have been infected.
No other farms in Colorado’s Rocky Ford growing region have been linked to the outbreak.
FDA investigators collected cantaloupes and environmental samples from a Denver-area retailer and from Jensen Farms after Colorado health officials identified the farm as the source of cantaloupes eaten by several people suffering from listeriosis, the illness caused by listeria.
Listeria was found on cantaloupes at the retailer and on cantaloupes and equipment at Jensen Farms.
Jensen Farms recalled cantaloupes Sept. 14, though the company’s distributor, Edinburg, Texas-based Frontera Produce, said recall efforts began Sept. 12.
The recalled cantaloupes were shipped from July 29 through Sept. 10.
Most Rocky Ford cantaloupe shippers were at or near the end of their season when retailers began removing product from shelves.
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Comments (12)
Leave a commentnancy Hann
Report Abuseare any of these in Canada??
garrett
Report AbuseNo, but Canada is dealing with a potential salmonella outbreak tied to eastern canadian cantaloupes.
JoAnn
Report AbuseHas any of this cantelope been distributed in Pgh PA? And what are the symptoms, please...
Chris Koger
Report AbuseJoAnn,
Pennsylvania isn't listed as one of the 18 states where illnesses have been reported.
According to the CDC, a person with listeriosis usually has fever and muscle aches, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. For more info: http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/. Chris Koger, News Editor, The Packer.
Fruiteater
Report AbuseIs this another organic farm that is making people sick.
Dan jones
Report AbuseHow did listeria get inside the melon as it would not penetrate the surface? The melons had to have been cut and the knife contaminated. Better to buy whole melon and cut yourself.
Randy
Report AbuseDan Jones
Cantaloupes are particularly susceptable to contamination in the field or packing process because of the spongy netting on the surface. This absorbs and retains anything that comes into contact with the melon.
This is why it is so important to wash them before slicing into them. The knife will spread any contaminents from the surface across the fruit.
chuck
Report AbuseI'd suspect a breakdown in the water filtration system, or probably not keeping the water treated/chlorinated especially if it was recycled. Any break in the skin would be the same as a vaccination of bacteria. Happened to us in 1970 only it wasn't this particular bacteria. We were wondering why all the fruit in the same box wasn't subject to the infection only the fruit with breaks in the skin were affected.
Ricardo
Report AbuseThis outbreak proves the importance that local produce companies starts implementing a strict food safty measures and GAP (good agriculture practices), just like it is required from imported produce from central-america and elsewhere! It is also important to educate people to wash ALL fruits and vegetables with soap and clean water before cutting, just as an additional measure and if you buy a pre-cut produce, make sure you buy it from a well known brand, like Del Monte or Green Giant, who has all the food safety procedures in place and 100% certified to processed food.
Jimmy
Report AbuseYou hit the nail right on the head, we have told our children DON'T PUT THAT IN YOUR MOUTH IT'S DIRTY, we should follow our own advice and ALWAYS WASH YOUR FRUITS AND VEGGIES, WITH WARM WATER AND USE A LITTLE SOAP IF POSSIBLE
Colleen
Report AbuseAny farm/grower/distributor/processor has the potential of a food borne illness outbreak. Conventionally farmed versus organically grown, large corporate farm versus small family owned farm, nationally grown versus internationally grown. It all comes down to some basics in the way the produce is handled; cleanliness in growing, handling, shipping and processing; the manner in which the produce is shipped and stored, held on docks, in trucks, etc. Buying from a large corporation, such as Del Monte, is no guarantee your food is safe. Buying the freshest possible produce and cleaning it well are two of the best things you can do to insure the safety of your produce.
Mike
Report Abusethis s why I try to grow my own fruitsvand veggies. You can control what you onor don't add to the garden