The problems with cantaloupe just keep coming. Not only is Del Monte doing its best to stand in the way of public health by recklessly threatening outbreak investigators with lawsuits, but also the stuff is continuing to turn up contaminated. This time, it’s listeria that has killed at least 1 person, and possibly 2, in Colorado, sickened a total of 9 in the state, as well as several citizens of Nebraska and Texas.
Importantly, all of the ill people in Colorado were hospitalized, including the person(s) who died. In Colorado, the confirmed listeria cases were in the following counties: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Denver, Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld. The people range in age from the 30s to the 90s. The average age is 84. The majority are female.
Cantaloupes have had their share of problems historically too. Courtesy of outbreak database, here are a few other outbreaks (notably, this listeria cantaloupe outbreak looks like a first):
- Del Monte Cantaloupe Salmonella Outbreak (2011)
- California Restaurant Cantaloupe Outbreak, Norovirus (2008)
- Colorado Private Home Cantaloupe and Watermelon Salonella outbreak (2008)
- Agropecuraria Montelibano Cantaloupe Salmonella Outbreak (2008)
- Colorado Cantaloupe Salmonella at Private Home (2007)
- Atlantic City Hotel Restaurant Fruit Salad and Green Salad 2007
- Grocery Store, Health Care Facility, and Nursing Home Fruit Salad 2006
- Colorado Cantaloupe Salmonella Outbreak (2005)
- Utah Private Home Cantaloupe, Barbequed Chicken, Corned Beef 2005
- Florida Unknown Location Cantaloupe, Pineapple, Bananas 2003
- Multistate Day Care Center or Private Home Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melon 2003
- Washington State Church Cantaloupe, Grapes, Watermelon 2002
- Susie Cantaloupe Distributed by I. Kunik Company 2002
- Oregon Nursing Home or Restaurant Cantaloupe 2001
- Viva Brand/Shipley Sales Cantaloupe (2001)
- Cantaloupes 2000
- Ontario, Canada Cantaloupe 1998
- Imported Mexican Cantaloupe 1997
- Cantaloupe 1991
- Multistate Cantaloupe 1990
- Multistate Cut Cantaloupe 1989
- Wisconsin Unknown Location Cantaloupe 1985