According to American media, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports a total of 109 persons infected with listeria-in-cantaloupe, with 21 dead, has been reported from 23 states. 3 states were hard hit, they are Colorado, New Mexico, Texas. Colorado has 32 sicken with 5deaths; New Mexico has 13 sicken with 5 deaths, Texas has 16 sicken with 2 deaths.
As the number of people sickened is increasing, media reporting and investigators are questioning on-farm food safety practices that may have led to such a catastrophic outbreak.
Mike Ssegawa of News Oklahoma cites the Oklahoma State University professors as explaining the problem is much more serious than blaming the cantaloupes from Jensen Farms. Instead, it is about observing food safety practices from where the food is raised to where it is sold and prepared for dinner.
Oklahoma State University microbiologist Peter Muriana maintains the latest outbreak is an opportunity to change the way business at the farms, farmers markets, groceries, etc., to improve food safety. And for consumers to build up “knowing your supplier” habit to protest their rights.
Reported by : Bor S. Luh Food Safety Research Center