Contaminated Equipment, Floors Caused Listeria Outbreak
The Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday that the recent outbreaks of listeria bacteria in cantaloupe were caused by pools of water on the floor and old, difficult-to-clean packing equipment at a farm in Colorado.
Twenty-five people have died and 123 sickened from the listeria contamination. The outbreaks in late September were traced back to Jensen Farms, located in Holly, Colo. The FDA said positive samples of listeria were found on equipment and fruit there.
The contaminated equipment was recently purchased by Jensen Farms. The FDA also said the cooling process used on the cantaloupes post-harvest may have added to the growth of listeria.
The outbreak deadliest food-borne outbreak in the United States in more than 25 years. There are still examinations that will be conducted in the coming weeks to determine if the outbreak is over.
RELATED:
Infected Cantaloupe Claims More Lives [Updated]
Neon Tommy: New Listeria Warning Over Outbreak Related to Tainted Cantaloupe
