Spudman

FDA will step up inspection of cantaloupe packinghouses

FDA on Monday, Feb. 25 announced its intention to begin inspections of cantaloupe packinghouses during the 2013 growing season, with a special focus on preventing listeria outbreaks. “As we move forward over the next few years with implementation of the produce safety provisions of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), it is essential that the cantaloupe industry and the produce industry in general, observe best practices already recognized by FDA and the industry as…  » Read more

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Fresh Ideas: Guilt by association takes toll

These are not easy times for cantaloupe growers. Each time there’s an outbreak of illness associated with cantaloupe, the entire industry suffers. When the most recent involving cantaloupe grown at Chamberlain Farm in Indiana that sickened more than 200 in 22 states made news, growers in Rocky Ford, Colo., were just getting into their season. Still reeling from last year’s deadly listeria outbreak from cantaloupe harvested at Jensen Farms 90 miles away in Holly, Colo.,…  » Read more

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Unsanitary conditions outlined in Indiana cantaloupe outbreak

A report released by the FDA shows that inspectors reported a variety of sources of contamination when they inspected Chamberlain Farms Produce, Inc., of Owensville, Ind., in August. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists Chamberlain Farms as the source of cantaloupe infected with salmonella that sickened a total of 270 people in 26 states. Of those, 101 had to be hospitalized. Three died in Kentucky. Inspectors who visited the farm tested cantaloupe still…  » Read more

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Minnesota fresh-cut company recalls some products that include DFI melons

Cut Fruit Express, Inc. of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota is voluntarily recalling some packaged fruit products containing cantaloupes, distributed through Sept. 5, since they contain cantaloupe which have been recalled by supplier DFI Marketing Inc., due to potential contamination with salmonella. No illnesses have been reported specific to the Cut Fruit Express Products that are the subject of this voluntary, precautionary recall. The voluntary recall extends only to products with certain use-by dates and sold…  » Read more

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28,000 cases of cantaloupe recalled after positive sample for salmonella

DFI Marketing Inc. of Fresno, Calif., is voluntarily recalling cantaloupe because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella was found on a single sample of cantaloupe during routine testing conducted at a wholesale produce distribution center (terminal market) as part of a USDA testing program. Through the company’s recall and trace back systems, it has been determined the suspected cantaloupes include approximately 28,000 cartons of bulk-packed product. The cantaloupes wee packed in…  » Read more

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CDC updates count on illnesses, deaths from 2011 Jensen Farms cantaloupe outbreak

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has increased by three the number of people who died as a result of contracting listeria from eating contaminated cantaloupe from Jensen Farms in Holly, Colo., in 2011. In an addendum to its final report issued in December, the CDC says that 33 people are known to have died as a direct result of ingesting the cantaloupe. In addition, the CDC says, 147 people were sickened.…  » Read more

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