Digital News Report – The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that results of several tests of the Jensen Farms’ Rocky Ford cantaloupes have come back positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The government agency tested cantaloupe from Denver stores and at the packing facility of the company’s cantaloupe. The samples that the FDA tested matched one of the three different strains of the Listeria monocytogenes that is related to a multi-state outbreak.
On September 14, Jensen Farms recalled their Rocky Ford brand cantaloupes due to potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. They had shipped the recalled produce between July 29 and Sept. 10, 2011. There were 17 different states that received shipments directly from the farm, but the produce could have been further shipped to other states as well. The FDA does not recommend eating the fruit because the contamination could be inside as well as outside of the fruit.
The FDA said that other farms located in the Rocky Ford growing area are not involved in the listeriosis outbreak.
Four people have died from becoming infected by Listeria monocytogens during the outbreak that started around August 15, 2011. The US Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) said that so far 35 people in 10 states have become ill after being infected by Listeria monocytogenes. Twelve infections were reported in Colorado. The FDA along with other officials are investigating the cause of the contamination of the cantaloupes so that the problem can be corrected in the future.
Jensen Farms’ Rocky Ford brand cantaloupes was eaten by several listeriosis patients, according to reports received by the Colorado state health officials.
By: Jason Chang