The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed the presence of listeria in cantaloupes processed by US produce firm Jensen Farms.
Samples of Jensen Farms cantaloupes taken from a store in Denver and from the company’s packing facility contain one of the three different strains of listeria monocytogenes associated with a deadly outbreak of listeriosis, the US food safety watchdog said yesterday (19 September).
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To date, the US Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention has reported that the outbreak has affected 35 people in 10 states – killing four.
Colorado-based Jensen Farms announced last week that it was recalling its cantaloupes, which were shipped between 29 July and 10 September.
The whole cantaloupes have a green and white sticker that reads ‘Product of USA- Frontera Produce-Colorado Fresh-Rocky Ford-Cantaloupe’, or a grey, yellow, and green sticker that reads ‘Jensen Farms-Sweet Rocky Fords’.
The recall involves only whole cantaloupes shipped by Jensen Farms. A joint statement from Eric and Ryan Jensen, the owners of Jensen Farms, said they are working with public health officials to identify the source of the outbreak.
“We are deeply saddened to learn that cantaloupes grown on our farm have been linked to the current Listeria outbreak,” it added. “Our hearts go out to those individuals and their families who have been affected by this terrible situation.”
For the full statement from the Food and Drug Administration, click here.
