Listeria Outbreak Traced to Melons
At least 15 people in 8 states have died from eating cantaloupe contaminated with listeria, reported the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 70 people have fallen ill in 18 states. Listeria monocytogenes is a kind of bacteria that can cause food poisoning in human beings. This outbreak of food-borne illness is the deadliest in the United States in more than 10 years. Many of the victims were elderly people, who are especially susceptible to the aggressive listeria bacteria.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has traced the tainted melons to a Colorado company The company has issued a recall of their Rocky Ford brand of cantaloupe, which is distributed across the United States.
The FDA recommends that consumers rinse all raw produce, including cantaloupes, under running water and, when possible, scrub the produce with a brush. The washed produce should immediately be dried with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Additional World Book articles:
- Back in Time (1999)
- How Safe Is Our Food Supply? (special report)