Recall Of Rocky Ford Brand Cantaloupes Expands

22 States Now Included in Recall

Jensen-Farms-Cantaloupe-in-box-29272376.jpg


(Photo courtesy: FDA)

Posted: 09/22/2011
Last Updated: 607 days ago

The recall of cantaloupes believed contaminated with listeria has been expanded with an additional five states added to the 17 already mentioned by federal officials.

As the Food and Drug Administration conducted audit checks with Jensen Farms' customers, the agency found that the recalled cantaloupes were also shipped to Arkansas, California, Idaho, Ohio and Oklahoma, in addition to the previously mentioned 17 states: Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.

The cantaloupe may be labeled: Colorado Grown, Distributed by Frontera Produce, USA, Pesticide Free, Jensenfarms.com, Sweet Rocky Fords.

The cantaloupes are packed in cartons that are labeled: Frontera Produce, www.fronteraproduce.com or with Frontera Produce, Rocky Ford Cantaloupes. Both cartons also include: Grown and packed by Jensen Farms Granada, CO and Shipped by Frontera Produce LTD, Edinburg, Texas.

Watch 7NEWS at 10 p.m. to find out what investigators have found that has them looking outside the farm.

Not all of the recalled cantaloupes are labeled with a sticker. Consumers should consult the retailer if they have questions about the origin of a cantaloupe.

The recalled cantaloupes were shipped from July 29 through Sept. 10.

The FDA’s root-cause investigation and environmental assessment includes the on-site expertise of the federal government and state of Colorado microbiologists, environmental health specialists, veterinarians and investigative officers. The experts conducting the assessment are there to determine the most likely cause of contamination and identify potential controls to help prevent contamination in the future.

Listeriosis is a rare and serious illness caused by eating food contaminated with bacteria called listeria. People who think they might have become ill should consult their doctor. A person from listeria usually has fever and muscle aches.

Listeriosis can be fatal, especially in certain high-risk groups. These groups include older adults, people with compromised immune systems and certain chronic medical conditions (such as cancer), and unborn babies and newborns. In pregnant women, listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and serious illness or death in newborn babies, though the mother herself rarely becomes seriously ill.

Eight people have died from the latest outbreak. Two of the deaths have been in Colorado.

Copyright Report a typo or inaccuracyIf you have a news tip or a follow-up to this story, e-mail us.Copyright 2011 by TheDenverChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


Report a typo or inaccuracy

If you have a news tip or a follow-up to this story, e-mail us.

Trending Now