DEADLY Listeria Outbreak Tied to Cantaloupes

Three Elders Treated and Released

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Health. Discussion »

16 People have Died

BETHESDA, MARYLAND - The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning to consumers not to eat Rock Ford Cantaloupes shipped by Jensen Farms. Some 16 people have already died and another 72 have been reported getting sick after eating the Listeria tainted cantaloupes.

Three elders on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation have had symptoms of Listeria after eating cantaloupes. They were treated and released after seeking medical treatment.

Jensen Farms has voluntarily recalled the Rocky Ford Cantaloupes shipped from July 29 through September 10 that were distributed to 25 states. The cantaloupes may be labeled "Distributed by Frontera Produce," "Jensenfarms.com," "Colorado grown" or "Sweet Rocky Fords." Not all recalled melons may have a sticker. Because of the high resell of produce products in the country, it is possible the tainted cantaloupes have made it to other produce shelves in other states.

Health officials say Listeria generally sickens elderly, pregnant women others with poor immunity. The Centers for Disease Control indicate the median age of those who have become ill is 78 and one in five who contract the disease can die from it.

The symptoms vary with the infected person:

Cantaloupes that are known to NOT have come from Jensen Farms are safe to eat. If consumers are uncertain about the source of a cantaloupe for purchase, they should ask the grocery store. A cantaloupe purchased from an unknown source should be discarded:

“when in doubt, throw it out.”

According to health officials said this is the first known outbreak of the disease in cantaloupe.

Proper Handling of Cantaloupe Melons

The federal Food and Drug Administration issued the following guidelines for proper fruit handling&$58;

posted September 29, 2011 12:30 pm edt