Colorado Listeria Outbreak: Will There Be a Cantaloupe Recall?
The Colorado Listeria outbreak associated with Cantaloupe -- an outbreak that has now spread to at least two other states, Texas and Nebraska -- is novel in two important ways, according to food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker.
First of all, few if any outbreaks involving cantaloupes and Listeria have been documented in the United States. Listeria outbreaks are more commonly linked to ready-to-eat meats, soft cheeses, raw milk, ham salads and other store-made salads, hot dogs, smoked seafood and meat spreads. Fresh vegetables such as kale and other leafy greens have at times been associated with Listeria outbreaks, but cantaloupe is customarily dangerous for other bacteria: namely Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli.
The Colorado cantaloupe Listeria outbreak has killed one person and sickened at least eight others in that state. More cases could be confirmed soon depending on lab test results. Texas has two cases and Nebraska also has one that officials have grouped into the same outbreak.
This brings us to the second unusual dimension of this outbreak: There is notification that the Listeria outbreak is tied to cantaloupe without a corresponding recall of product. Officials say they are still investigating where the contaminated fruit is coming from. This uncertainty is likely to have a major effect on the entire industry until the contamination is pinpointed.
The FDA, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have all joined the health departments in Colorado, Texas and Nebraska in a major traceback investigation.
For now, families and individuals who have been sickened in this outbreak can have their legal questions answered by Listeria lawyers at Pritzker Olsen Attorneys 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free). Founder Fred Pritzker has been involved in numerous Listeria lawsuits of considerable weight, including a very difficult case on the East Coast against two major food producers that resulted in a $6 million settlement.
It is important for victims and their families to understand their legal rights and remedies. A good Listeria lawyer will have the experience needed to know who is responsible for the harm done to you and how best to proceed with a lawsuit. Please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit your contact information for a free case consultation.
