It’s been five months since cantaloupes from Jensen Farms, CO were discovered to be tainted with Listeria monocytogenes in what has become one of the USA’s most deadly Listeria outbreaks. Last February, 68 year-old Mike Hauser died of Listeriosis after falling ill in September 2011. His passing brings the estimate of adult deaths associated with the outbreak to 34. However, experts agree that nailing down an exact number of deaths continues to be a challenge, especially when the victims do not show symptoms for weeks or even months after having consumed Listeria-tainted food.

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that is frequently foodborne because of its association with animal feces. In fact, it is estimated that around 10% of human gastrointestinal tracts are colonized by Listeria. Among persons with normal, healthy immune systems, Listeriosis is relatively rare. But for high-risk populations, especially newborns, pregnant women, and the elderly, Listeriosis can be extremely dangerous; causing fever, aches, vomiting, septicemia, early delivery, miscarriage, meningitis, and death.

The number one question our staffers have received in association with this outbreak is “How could cantaloupe become contaminated with Listeria?” It’s a good question, especially considering all the regulations we have domestically regarding food manufacturing and farming. So how did these cantaloupes pass under the radar to affect so many people? The FDA and local health inspectors think they may have found the answer.

In a report issued last fall, investigators stated that waste cantaloupes were taken by truck from a packing facility to a nearby cattle farm. Cows and other livestock are common carriers of Listeria and the truck’s wheels likely became contaminated with cattle feces. The feces (and its associated pathogens) were then transported back to the cantaloupe packing facility where standing water, building materials and equipment that were difficult to clean, and second-hand washing machines created a breeding ground for Listeria. This bacterial perfect storm resulted in countless melons becoming contaminated and ending up in grocery stores nationwide. Ironically, Jensen Farms had used a third-party auditor to review and approve their safe farming and growing practices. The farm was given a seal of approval just days before the contaminated fruit was shipped.

Last month, Larry Goodridge, associate professor at the Center for Meat Safety and Quality at Colorado State University, urged Colorado farmers to no longer rely on third-party inspectors to ensure their products and processes are safe. The proverbial “buck” will always stop with the farmer. “Each farm or processing facility has to be able to assess their own risks,” he stated at the governor’s annual forum on Colorado agriculture, “Everybody who produces food has to be responsible for the safety of the food they produce. You cannot rely on third parties. You just can’t.” He also urged manufacturers and farmers to focus on cleanliness and sanitation, which practices could have prevented last year’s deadly outbreak.

So as a consumer, what can you do? Before preparing whole, unpeeled fruits or vegetables, like melons, StateFoodSafety.com recommends thoroughly scrubbing the rind with a drop of mild detergent or an equal-parts mixture of water and vinegar, and then rinsing the item in clean, potable water. Contamination on fruit and vegetable rinds will not often enter the edible portion of the food until a knife or other kitchen implement is introduced as a vector, pulling pathogens down into and through the food. We do not recommend washing fruits, vegetables, or bagged greens that have already been cut or prepared. If there is contamination present in the items, “washing” will merely spread pathogens around the food and your kitchen, increasing your likelihood of becoming sick.

For more information on this outbreak, hit up the source links below.

–Emilee Follett

Sources: usatoday.com, msnbc.msn.com, denverpost.com, dailycamera.com, Wikipedia, nutrition.about.com

The FDA is currently investigating a multi-state outbreak of salmonella enteritidis linked to chicken eggs from as many as 13 separate brands.  An estimated 266 people in California alone have been infected by consuming the  contaminated eggs.  So far, no deaths have been reported.

A recall, which includes all 13 egg brands, involves eggs all originating from an Iowa company.  While the Wright County Egg of Galt, Iowa won’t confirm how many, experts have estimated up to 228 million eggs will be recalled from across the nation.  For additional information, read the FDA’s press release.

UPDATE (9/1/2010):  Since this recall was issued two weeks ago, the FDA egg recall has grown to include dozens of egg brands, all with similar plant numbers–typically beginning with a “P.”  The Egg Safety Center has put together a comprehensive list of all the egg products included in the recall.  If eggs you have purchased are included in the recall, don’t eat them.

–Emilee Follett

The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) has successfully identified the culprit in a recent multi-state outbreak of typhoid fever:  sapote fruit.  Called “mamey” fruit in the U.S., the grapefruit-size Sapote is grown commonly in Mexico and has a sweet, juicy pulp commonly used in ice creams and milkshakes.  The CDC became involved when local health departments in California and Nevada began reporting consumers infected with typhoid fever.  About 400 Americans become ill with typhoid fever annually, most while traveling in South America.  This scenario was strange because the infected persons had not been outside the United States when they contracted the disease.

CDC officials report that frozen sapote fruit pulp, used in milkshakes consumed by every person involved in the outbreak, was infected with Salmonella Typhi–more commonly known as typhoid fever.  The distributor, Goya Foods, Inc., has recalled its 14oz bags of Sapote (mamey) Fruit Pulp which were distributed in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington.   Unfortunately (and curiously) additional information is not available on the distributor’s website.

–Emilee Follett

This morning the USDA announced a major recall of approximately one million pounds of frozen ground beef patties that may be contaminated with E. coli.    The California-based company, Valley Meat Co.,  distributed the suspect beef patties to vendors in California, Texas, Arizona, and Oregon.  Thirty separate products are included in the recall.  For a complete list and additional information about the recall, read their press release:  Valley Meat Co.

–Emilee Follett

Wal-Mart stores have pulled packages of Great Value brand chicken nuggets off their freezer shelves after receiving multiple complaints about bits of blue plastic buried in the nuggets.  Purdue Farms Inc., who produces the nuggets for Wal-Mart’s Great Value retail line, is responsible for the recall, which includes more than 90,000 lbs of chicken nuggets.  The USDA has named the contaminated product as the 1 pound 13 ounce bag of “Great Value Fully Cooked Chicken Nuggets.”  The recall of this product is nationwide and currently underway.  For the time being, you may want to stick to nuggets of the “Mc” variety.

–Emilee Follett

Source:  CBSNEWS