Listeriosis Outbreak: Jensen Farms Recalls Cantaloupe Due to Possible Health Risk.
The FDA announced a recall today for cantaloupes from Jensen Farms, after the Colorado company confirmed that one of its Rocky Ford melons had tested positive for the bacterium Listeria.
A Jensen Farms spokeswoman said today that more tests would be needed to determine whether the strain found in its produce was linked to two confirmed deaths and 16 cases of listeriosis, a potentially deadly infection, The Associated Press reported.
Amy Philpott, Jensen Farms representative said the farm had shipped more than 300,000 cases across the U.S. between July 29 and September 10 and has recalled the entire harvest.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that it was the first Listeria outbreak tied to cantaloupe in the U.S.
The listeriosis cases have been reported in five states and Colorado authorities have told retailers to remove Jensen Farms’ cantaloupes from the shelves.
It was also reported that a couple from Denver was expected to file the first lawsuit related to the listeriosis outbreak after the husband ate a Jensen cantaloupe and got sick. The man tested positive for listeriosis and remains hospitalized.
“Jensen Farms continues to stay committed to the highest levels of food safety and maintains many third party safety audits, as we have for many years. We continually look for ways to enhance our protocol,” said Ryan Jensen, partner at Jensen Farms.
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