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Colo. Cantaloupes Blamed for 4 Deaths

Rocky Ford melons believed to be source of Listeria

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 14, 2011 1:34 AM CDT

(Newser) – Colorado's famous Rocky Ford cantaloupes are being blamed for an outbreak of Listeria that has killed four people and sickened dozens of others in six states. No formal recall has been issued, but health officials are advising people at high risk of contracting the bacterial infection—the elderly, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems—to steer clear of the Colorado melons, the Denver Post reports. Officials are scrambling to locate the source of the outbreak, and some Colorado chains have pulled their supplies as a precaution.

Cut melon should be promptly refrigerated and any cut fruit left at room temperature for more than four hours should be discarded, health officials advise.
Cut melon should be promptly refrigerated and any cut fruit left at room temperature for more than four hours should be discarded, health officials advise.   (USDA)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 14 comments
vapidvortex
Sep 14, 2011 10:46 AM CDT
Here's the story...Migrant farm workers pick cantaloupes.  When they need to take a dump or a leak, they DO NOT travel back to the ranch house to use the facilities.  They crap right on your produce.  They do not wash their hands afterward.  Then, they continue to pick cantaloupes, toss them in a wagon, the wagon dumps them at the big distribution center, they get crated, put on a truck, delivered to your local Try-N-Save, you buy them on sale, eat them, and drop dead.
Person12345
Sep 14, 2011 9:57 AM CDT
So, how do I know that the melons in the store are from Colorado.  They don't put the origin on the stickers.  Store managers don't know where things come from.
n230099
Sep 14, 2011 6:42 AM CDT
Important too, but not mentioned, is washing the melons with soap and water before cutting. Whatever's on the outside is brought into contact with the flesh by the knife.
Health • US

 
bacteria • food safety • fruits and vegetables • listeria

 
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