More than a Dozen Deaths Confirmed From Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak

According to a report this morning in the Denver Post, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 13 deaths (including one in California) linked to tainted Colorado-grown cantaloupes that were recalled earlier this month. Three more deaths in Kansas, Wyoming and New Mexico, are currently being investigated and may be linked to listeria. Dozens of people have been hospitalized with serious illnesses.

The listeria outbreak is linked to cantaloupes grown by Jensen Farms in Holly, Colorado. The “Rocky Ford” brand melons were recalled by the company on September 14, after the melons were shipped to as many as 25 states, including California. Because the illness has an incubation period of up to two months, the death toll and number of reported illnesses are expected to increase.  Children, elderly adults, pregnant women, and others with weakened immune systems are most at risk of becoming ill from the contaminated cantaloupe. 

According to the Denver Post, it is likely that this 2011 cantaloupe listeria outbreak will become the second-deadliest listeria outbreak in US history, if it surpasses the 1998/1999 listeria outbreak attributed to contaminated hot dogs and deli meats. In that outbreak, listeria caused 14 confirmed deaths, seven listeria-suspected deaths and four miscarriages or stillbirths.

The worst recorded listeria outbreak was in 1985, when 52 people died after eating contaminated Mexican style soft cheese made by Jalisco Mexican Products Inc., of Artesia, CA. Health officials were never able to pinpoint the origin of that outbreak, but it was suspected to be either caused by contaminated raw materials supplied to the plant, poor pasteurization methods, or unsanitary conditions.

Foodborne illnesses are on the rise. In August, at least 10 E. coli infections were linked to tainted strawberries grown in Oregon. Also in August, Cargill recalled 36,000,000 pounds of ground turkey products produced in Arkansas due to possible Salmonella contamination.  In July, 97 cases of Salmonella agona in 23 different states were linked to contaminated papaya imported from Mexico.  In March and April of this year, Jennie-O recalled nearly 55,000 pounds of turkey burgers found to carry drug-resistant salmonella. In June, Dole recalled nearly 3,000 cases of salad bags after a random test found listeria.

Several thousand people die and more than 300,000 people are hospitalized each year as a result of foodborne illnesses. Listeria is more deadly than other foodborne pathogens like salmonella and E. coli. Many foodborne illnesses result from negligent unsafe food handling or preparation.  If you have suffered a foodborne illness resulting from contaminated food, contact an experienced California foodborne illness lawyer to learn more about your legal rights.