Jensen Farms Had Clean Inspection Just Prior To Listeria Outbreak

A report from the Denver Post is raising disturbing question about Jensen Farms, and a third party auditor that failed to catch pottential problems prior to a deadly outbreak of the listeria bacteria.

The lab that conducted the testing, Texas subcontractor BioFood Safety, was aware of recent equipment changes at Jensen Farms. Lab auditors were also aware that Jensen Farms had recently stopped adding a chlorine-based agent to their wash.

Still, despite the potential red flags, Jensen Farms was given a passing grade on their audit, a 96 out of a possible 100 points.

Trevor Suslow, a University of California-Davis food safety expert who advises parties within the melon industry, says the discrepancies should have drawn a much stronger warning from inspectors.

Click here to read the full report from the Denver Post.