Chamberlin Farm Produce has been identified as the grower of the cantaloupe responsible for the salmonella outbreak, now with some 178 sticken. The company is recalling all of it cantaloupes from the 2012 growing season.
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm316681.htm
8/20/12
CDC is reporting that there are over 140 cases of salmonellosis with 2 deaths linked to cantaloupes which were grown in southwestern Indiana. Cases have been reported from 20 different states.
There have been a number of outbreaks linked to cantaloupes, including the Jensen Farm outbreak last year. The reason for the higher risk associated with cantaloupes is the rough exterior surface which makes cleaning ‘to a microbiological level in order to remove pathogens’ difficult. Additionally, cantaloupes are not acidic, and the interior can support the growth of bacteria once sliced
It is important that farmers practice Good Agricultural Practices, or GAPs when growing, harvesting, and packing cantaloupes. Consumers should purchase cantaloupes that are not bruised are damaged. Before eating, consumers should scrub melons with a brush under running tap water before cutting and then refrigerate any sliced melon that is not immediately consumed.
Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium Infections Linked to Cantaloupe
CDC Release 8/17/12
Highlights
A total of 141 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported from 20 states.
The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Alabama (7), Arkansas (3), California (2), Georgia (1), Illinois (17), Indiana (13), Iowa (7), Kentucky (50), Michigan (6), Minnesota (3), Missouri (9), Mississippi (2), New Jersey (1), North Carolina (3), Ohio (3), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (3), Tennessee (6), Texas (1), and Wisconsin (2).
31 ill persons have been hospitalized. Two deaths have been reported in Kentucky.
Collaborative investigation efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate that cantaloupe grown in southwestern Indiana is a likely source of this outbreak.
As a result of the initial investigations by the state health departments in Indiana and Kentucky, a farm in southwestern Indiana has contacted its distributors, which reach outside Indiana into other states, and is withdrawing its cantaloupe from the market place. The farm has agreed to cease distributing cantaloupes for the rest of the growing season.
Consumers who recently purchased cantaloupes grown in southwestern Indiana are advised not to eat them and discard any remaining cantaloupe.
Based on the available information, consumers can continue to purchase and eat cantaloupes that did not originate in southwestern Indiana.
Many cantaloupes have the growing area identified with a sticker on the fruit. If no sticker is present, consumers should inquire about the source. When in doubt, throw it out.
Retailers and food service operators should not sell or serve cantaloupe grown in southwestern Indiana.
FDA is continuing to work closely with CDC and state partners during this ongoing investigation. CDC will update the public on the progress of this investigation as information becomes available.
Investigation of Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium Infections Potentially Related to Cantaloupe Grown in Southwest Indiana
FDA Release 8/17/12
What is the Problem?
A total of 141 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported from 20 states.
The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Alabama (7), Arkansas (3), California (2), Georgia (1), Illinois (17), Indiana (13), Iowa (7), Kentucky (50), Michigan (6), Minnesota (3), Missouri (9), Mississippi (2), New Jersey (1), North Carolina (3), Ohio (3), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (3), Tennessee (6), Texas (1), and Wisconsin (2).
31 persons have been hospitalized, and two deaths have been reported in Kentucky.
In the course of their investigation, state officials in Kentucky and Indiana found evidence that they believe indicate cantaloupes grown in southwestern Indiana may be a source of the ongoing Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak. FDA officials are actively investigating potential sources of the outbreak, and will continue to update the public as more specific information becomes available.
What are the Symptoms of Salmonellosis?
Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.
However, in some people, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In these patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.
Who is at Risk?
Children are the most likely to get salmonellosis. The rate of diagnosed infections in children less than five years old is higher than the rate in all other persons. Young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are the most likely to have severe infections. It is estimated that approximately 400 persons die each year with acute salmonellosis.
What is Being Done About the Problem?
As a result of the initial investigations by the state health departments in Indiana and Kentucky, a farm in southwestern Indiana has contacted its distributors, which reach outside Indiana into other states, and is withdrawing its cantaloupe from the market place. The farm has agreed to cease distributing cantaloupes for the rest of the growing season.
FDA’s Coordinated Outbreak Response and Evaluation (CORE) network is working directly with the FDA field offices, the CDC and state and local agencies on this incident and will continue to update the public appropriately.
What Do Consumers Need To Do?
As a result of the state investigations, FDA advises consumers not to eat cantaloupe from southwestern Indiana and to throw them away. Do not try to wash the harmful bacteria off the cantaloupe as contamination may be both on the inside and outside of the cantaloupe. Cutting, slicing and dicing may also transfer harmful bacteria from the fruit’s surface to the fruit’s flesh. When in doubt, throw it out.
Who Should be Contacted?
Consumers who show any signs of illness Salmonellosis should consult their health care provider. FDA encourages consumers with questions about food safety to call 1-888-SAFEFOOD or consult the fda.gov website.
Investigation Progression
Information on the investigation progression will be posted as it becomes available.
Latest deadly salmonella outbreak angers food-safety experts
By Liz Szabo, USA TODAY 8/19/12
Consumers are once again doubting the safety of cantaloupes, a year after a deadly outbreak of food poisoning caused by tainted melons killed at least 30 people and sickened 146 people.
Agricultural experts say the frequent problems with cantaloupes come from the nature of the melons and sloppy agricultural practices.
In the latest outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said, two people have died and 141 have fallen ill in 20 states in a salmonella outbreak linked to contaminated cantaloupe grown in southwestern Indiana. Thirty-one victims have been hospitalized. Both deaths were in Kentucky.
Last year's epidemic was caused by cantaloupes contaminated with listeria, from Colorado's Jensen Farms, according to the CDC.
Food-safety advocate Nancy Donley said she's "hopping mad" over the latest outbreak. "These illnesses and deaths are preventable," said Donley, a spokeswoman for STOP Foodborne Illness. Her group has urged the Food and Drug Administration to more quickly put out new regulations, based on authority from 2010 legislation. "This shouldn't have happened."
Richard Marler of the Seattle law firm Marler Clark, which specializes in food-safety law, links cantaloupes to at least 13 salmonella outbreaks since 1990.
A cantaloupe's rough, porous skin is an easy target for bacteria, which cling to the bumps on its surface. Cantaloupes growing on the ground can also pick up dirt and germs from manure that runs off from livestock fields, said Douglas Powell, a professor of food safety at Kansas State University.
It's almost impossible for consumers to adequately wash cantaloupes at home, Powell said. The knives used to cut cantaloupes transfer bacteria to the inside.
Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection, FDA spokeswoman Shelly Burgess said.
Meanwhile, a Northern California produce supplier, Tanimura & Antle, said Sunday that it is voluntarily recalling romaine lettuce that was shipped to 19 states, Puerto Rico and Canada over fears of possible E. coli contamination, the Associated Press said. There have been no reported illnesses.
The recall is a single lot of Field Fresh Wrapped Single Head Romaine that has a "best by" date of Aug. 19.
Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium Infections Linked to Cantaloupe
Advice to Consumers, Retailers, and Others
Contaminated cantaloupe may still be in grocery stores and in consumers' homes.- Consumers who recently purchased cantaloupes grown in southwestern Indiana are advised not to eat them and discard any remaining cantaloupe.
- Based on the available information, consumers can continue to purchase and eat cantaloupes that did not originate in southwestern Indiana.
- Many cantaloupes have the growing area identified with a sticker on the fruit. If no sticker is present, consumers should inquire about the source. When in doubt, throw it out.
- Consumers who are buying or have recently bought cantaloupe should ask their retailer if the cantaloupe was grown in southwestern Indiana.
- Cantaloupes should be disposed of in a closed plastic bag placed in a sealed trash can. This will prevent people or animals from eating them.
- Dispose of any cantaloupes that you think may be contaminated. Washing them will not completely eliminate the contamination. Cutting, slicing and dicing may also transfer harmful bacteria from the fruit’s surface to the fruit’s flesh.
- Retailers and food service operators should not sell or serve cantaloupe from southwestern Indiana.
- Persons who think they might have become ill from eating possibly contaminated cantaloupes should consult their health care providers.
No comments:
Post a Comment