September 2011 — Recent reports have linked cantaloupe grown in the Rocky Ford region with outbreaks of Listeria infections in at least 6 states, including Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Indiana, Oklahoma and Nebraska. While symptoms usually include fever and muscle ache, in rare cases Listeria-related infections can cause death. For the most part, Listeria affects the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. In pregnant women, it can cause miscarriage and stillbirth.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting cantaloupe food poisoning cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has experienced food poisoning as a result of eating cantaloupe, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

UPDATE

August 20, 2012 – A deadly outbreak of cantaloupe food poisoning has sickened 141 people, killed 2, and hospitalized 31 people across 20 states. The cantaloupes were contaminated with Salmonella. The outbreak was traced to one farm in southwestern Indiana.

Cantaloupe Food Poisoning: An Overview

Since August 2011, there have been reports of approximately 25 cases of Listeria-related food poisoning in people who have consumed cantaloupe from the Rocky Ford region of Colorado. It is the first bacteria outbreak linked to cantaloupe in the United States.

Outbreaks of Listeria have been reported in 6 states — 11 cases in Colorado, 10 in New Mexico, 2 in Texas and one each in Indiana, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Additionally, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating suspected cases in several other states. Listeria-related illness has caused at least four deaths in Colorado and New Mexico.

The bacteria outbreak has prompted the state of New Mexico to voluntarily recall cantaloupe and independent grocery stores in Colorado have also pulled cantaloupe from their shelves. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration has not formally recalled the melons, as it confirms the origins of the infection.

While Listeria rarely infects people, older adults, pregnant women, newborns and adults with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of infection.

The CDC is advising people to check melon labels or inquire at grocery stores if they believe they have purchased cantaloupe grown in the Rocky Ford region. The CDC is advising people at high risk not to eat the melons and is recommending that cantaloupes marketed as coming from the Rocky Ford region be thrown away in a sealed trash bag.

Rocky Ford is part of the Arkansas Valley in Colorado, along the Santa Fe Trail, 130 miles southeast of Denver. Rocky Ford melons are known for their high sugar content.

What is Listeria?

Listeria monocytogenes is a form of bacteria which can cause Listeriosis, a rare, but potentially lethal food-borne infection, caused by eating contaminated food. Usually it is contracted from eating deli meats, soft cheeses, hot dogs and dairy products that have been contaminated with the Listeria bacteria. Listeria may also be found in uncooked meats, uncooked vegetables, unpasteurized milk and some processed foods.

While pasteurization and cooking can usually kill Listeria monocytogenes, contamination may occur between cooking and packaging. Additionally, refrigeration may cause Listeria bacteria to grow and multiply in some foods.

Antibiotics can potentially cure Listeriosis, but even with treatment, some cases can result in death. According to the CDC, normally about 1,6000 people become ill with Listeriosis each year. Those most at risk include:

• Pregnant women
• Newborns
• Persons with weakened immune systems as a result of transplant or certain diseases, therapies or medications
• Persons with cancer, diabetes, alcoholism, and liver or kidney disease
• Persons with AIDS
• Older adults

Most healthy persons can consume Listeria-contaminated foods without becoming ill. However, in rare cases, persons without these risks can also contract infection.

Symptoms of a Listeriosis

Listeriosis infection can cause symptoms including:

• Fever
• Muscle ache
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Confusion
• Loss of balance
• Convulsions
• Other gastrointestinal symptoms

While a pregnant woman will only experience minor flu-like symptoms, it may be seriously harmful to her unborn child. Listeriosis infections during pregnancy can cause:

• Miscarriage
• Stillbirth
• Premature delivery
• Life-threatening infection of the newborn

Due to the severity of these symptoms, people who have contracted Listeriosis after eating cantaloupe may want to contact a lawyer or attorney with The Schmidt Firm, LLP to discuss the possibility of a food-poisoning lawsuit.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Warning

As of September 13, 2011, the CDC has confirmed 16 cases of Listeriosis in five states, all starting after August 15. The CDC has confirmed 11 cases in Colorado, 2 in Texas, and one each in Indiana, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Laboratory tests have traced the infections back to consumption of cantaloupe from the Rocky Ford region of Colorado.

As the CDC warning stated:

“CDC recommends that persons at high risk for Listeriosis, including older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women, do not eat cantaloupes marketed as coming from the Rocky Ford region of Colorado.”

The Food and Drug Administration has not yet recalled the melons as it works towards confirming the source. While most FDA recalls are voluntary, the FDA can authorize a recall as part of the Food Safety Modernization Act. For this to occur, the FDA must have some evidence there is a “reasonable probability that an article of food . . . will cause serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals.”

Do I Have a Cantaloupe Listeriosis Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting cantaloupe food poisoning cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has experienced food poisoning as a result of eating cantaloupe, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Attention Lawyers: We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.