UPDATE: Two Stores Pull Rocky Ford Cantaloupe From Shelves
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment says, “People at high risk for Listeria infection should not eat cantaloupe from the Rocky Ford growing region.” However, Colorado Agriculture Commissioner John Salazar says it might not be the cantaloupe, but a contaminated truck or other source.
The department expects additional test results later this week that may help identify the specific source of the cantaloupe linked to the multistate outbreak.
As of Monday, Whole Foods told KRDO Newschannel 13 it has pulled the Cantaloupe from its store shelves. On Tuesday, Safeway Grocery stores removed them from their shelves as well. King Soopers has not returned our calls.
Cantaloupe has been identified as the likely source of the state’s listeria outbreak.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has identified nine cases linked to a multi-state listeria outbreak. All of those affected had consumed cantaloupe. The investigation also includes two potentially related cases in Texas and one in Nebraska.
On average, Colorado has only about 10 cases of listeriosis a year. All of the ill people in Colorado were hospitalized and two died. One of the deaths is not among the nine cases that are now part of the investigation. Confirmed listeria cases in Colorado are in the following counties: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Denver, Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld.
Dr. Chris Urbina, chief medical officer and executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, says people at high risk for infection should avoid consuming cantaloupe.
Those at high risk include people age 60 and older, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women. Healthy adults rarely develop this illness.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service are coordinating this investigation.
Symptoms of listeriosis can include fever and muscle aches, diarrhea, headache, stiff neck, confusion and convulsions. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths. Please contact your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of these symptoms and believe it may be due to listeria infection.
