The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals has announced that an 81 year old woman died after contracting the same strain of Listeria which has previously been linked to cantaloupes recalled from Jensen Farms. Another Louisiana resident has died after contracting Listeriosis, Listeria monocytogenes related food poisoning; however, test results matching the strain of Listeria she contracted to the strain of Listeria found on recalled cantaloupes are still pending.
An initial Food and Drug Administration recall of the Jensen Farms cantaloupe included several states, but not Louisiana. Louisiana was added to the Listeria related recall nearly two weeks after the first recall issued September 14th, 2011. Consumers have been cautioned. Anyone experiencing listeria related symptoms should contact a physicial immediately.
Listeriosis can in rare instances be fatal. Elderly Listeria victims may experience problems that younger healthier individuals do not. These Listeria related health problems can include potential blood poisoning and meningitis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report symptoms of this type of Listeria related illness to include a stiff neck, convulsions, vertigo, and mental disorientation. Pregnant women are another demographic group who should be keenly aware of Listeria monocytogenes and potentially contaminated foods. Pregnant women can suffer miscarriages or stillbirths after contracting Listeriosis.
According to the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals:
The important thing for consumers to know, and the only way to determine if they have the recalled product, is to check the stickers on the whole cantaloupe. The recalled whole cantaloupes have a green and white sticker that reads: Product of USA- Frontera Produce-Colorado Fresh-Rocky Ford- Cantaloupe or a gray, yellow, and green sticker that reads: Jensen Farms-Sweet Rocky Fords. If it does not have a sticker, consumers should contact the store from which it was purchased to determine the source.
Check our website for updates on this multi-state foodborne illness outbreak.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2011
