stly Reminder
One of the deadliest foodborne illness outbreaks in decades
occurred in 2011 when 147 people were sickened and
33 died after an outbreak of listeriosis caused by Listeria
monocytogenes in cantaloupe.
Investigations revealed that the pathogen was present in
the packing facility and on washing and packing equipment.
Experts believe poor sanitation in the packing facility and
lack of precooling were key factors contributing to the
outbreak. Armed with some knowledge and a commitment
to food safety, growers can do a lot to prevent outbreaks like
this in the future.