Tainted cantaloupe traced to dirty equipment
Federal health officials traced a deadly listeria contamination in cantaloupe to hard-to-clean equipment at Jensen Farms near Holly, Colo. About 25 people died after eating the tainted fruit. (Sept. 28, 2011) Credit: AP
WASHINGTON -- The Food and Drug Administration says the deadly listeria outbreak in cantaloupe was probably caused by pools of water on the floor of a work shed and old, hard-to-clean packing equipment at a Colorado farm.
The agency said Wednesday that contamination at the packing facility at Jensen Farms is likely to blame for the outbreak that killed 25 people in a dozen states. Investigators found positive listeria samples on equipment and fruit there.
The FDA said Jensen Farms had recently purchased used equipment that was corroded and hard to clean. The agency said the way the cantaloupes were cooled after coming off the fields may have also contributed to listeria growth.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the outbreak sickened 123 people.
Maduro, wife arrive for court ... Kids celebrate Three Kings Day ... Out East: Custer Institute and Observatory ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV
Maduro, wife arrive for court ... Kids celebrate Three Kings Day ... Out East: Custer Institute and Observatory ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV
