Chamberlain Farms of Owensville, Indiana is the cantaloupe grower linked to the Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 178 people in 21 states, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced. So far, 62 people have been hospitalized and two have died from Salmonella Typhimurium infections. State and federal investigators who are working together on the investigation of the outbreak, say that cantaloupe from the farm is a likely source of the outbreak but there may be others. Chamberlain has issued a recall of cantaloupes that were initially shipped to Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin and were then redistributed. Illnesses in the each of the 21 states are as follows: Alabama (13), Arkansas (3), California (2), Georgia (3), Illinois (21), … [Read more...]
Walmart, Schnucks, Other Chains Recall Cantaloupe
Several major grocery chains have recalled the cantaloupes associated with the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that has sickened 178 people in 21 states. So far, WalMart, Schnucks, Meijer, and Marsh have pulled the recalled cantaloupes from their shelves. Kroger has pulled cantaloupes recalled by Burch Farms for Listeria. The cantaloupes, produced and processed by Chamberlain Farm Produce Inc. of Owensville, Indiana, were shipped from June 21, 2012 to August 16, 2012. The farm started recalling the cantaloupes on August 17, 2012. The outbreak is likely to grow because of this long time frame. Cities that are affected by this outbreak include Lousiville, Lexington, and Owensboro, Kentucky; Chicago, Aurora, and Rockford, Illinois; Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and South Bend, Indiana; Kansas … [Read more...]
Chamberlain Farm Produce Recalls Cantaloupes for Possible Salmonella
Chamberlain Farm Produce, Inc. of Owensville, Indiana is recalling all of its cantaloupes from the 2012 growing season that may remain in the marketplace. Some of the cantaloupes may be contaminated with Salmonella. The cantaloupes may be associated with the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that is currently affecting people in 21 states. "This recall should have happened as soon as there was any indication that cantaloupes grown by Chamberlain Farm Produce caused illness," said attorney Fred Pritzker, who recently won $4.5 million for one of his clients who was sickened by contaminated food. Pritzker represents Salmonella food poisoning victims throughout the United States. The FDA says that during the period of June 21, 2012 to August 16, 2012, Chamberlain Farm Product sold … [Read more...]
Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Linked to Cantaloupe Grows
The multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium linked to cantaloupes has grown, according to the CDC. Now 178 people are sick with the outbreak strain. Sixty-two people have been hospitalized and two people in Kentucky have died. Chamberlain Farms Produce of Owensville Indiana has been named as being "one source" of the cantaloupes, according to the FDA. That farm has recalled their melons for the 2012 growing season. The case count is as follows: Alabama (13), Arkansas (3), California (2), Georgia (3), Illinois (21), Indiana (18), Iowa (7), Kentucky (56), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (6), Minnesota (4), Mississippi (5), Missouri (12), New Jersey (2), North Carolina (3), Ohio (4), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (3), Tennessee (6), Texas (2), and Wisconsin (4). The CDC says that … [Read more...]
Wal-Mart Cantaloupe Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of Two Children Who Contracted Salmonella Infections
Yesterday a lawsuit was filed against Wal-Mart on behalf of two children who are part of the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak linked to cantaloupe grown by Chamberlain Farms of Owensville, Indiana. According to the complaint, the two children got sick within days of eating cantaloupe purchased at Wal-Mart. One child was hospitalized for 4 days. "The victims of this outbreak deserve compensation for their illnesses," said Fred Pritzker, national Salmonella lawyer. Pritzker, who recently won $4.5 million for a food poisoning victim, urges victims and families to contact an attorney as soon as possible. "Filing a lawsuit in these cases sends a clear message to growers, distributors and retailers that food sold to consumers should be safe to eat. Parents should not have to worry that food … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 12 In Missouri
At least 12 people in Missouri are now part of the cantaloupe Salmonella outbreak that has killed two people, sickened more than 140 others in 21 states and hospitalized 32, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The number of confirmed cases in Missouri has increased by three since the outbreak was announced on Friday. As Food Poisoning Bulletin reported today, this outbreak is the third to be linked to cantaloupe in the last 19 months. Last year, the cantaloupe Listeria outbreak linked to Jensen Farms in Holly, Colo., sickened at least 146 people and more than 30 people died. “We need appropriate control measures and the industry hasn’t delivered,’’ national food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker said in a press release today. “How many more people have … [Read more...]
Three Outbreaks Linked to Cantaloupe in Last 19 Months
As we wait for more information about the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak linked to cantaloupes grown in Indiana, let's look back at the outbreaks caused by this fruit in the 19 months. In 2011 and 2012, there have been three outbreaks of foodborne illness linked to cantaloupe. This fruit is more likely to be contaminated because the thick webbed skin provides lots of places for bacteria to hide, and because the fruit lies directly on the ground while it is growing. Animals, contaminated irrigation water, improper handling, and unsanitary conditions on the farm and in packing sheds can contaminate the fruit. In fact, according to the FDA, from 1996 to 2008, there were 10 nationwide outbreaks linked to melons that caused 507 illnesses and two deaths. In the spring of 2011, 20 people … [Read more...]
Kroger Pulls Cantaloupe From Stores In Four States
Kroger grocery stores is removing cut cantaloupe products from locations in four states, but other Kroger stores may soon be joining in. The grocery retailer’s removal of cut cantaloupe products from stores in Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and Kentucky was prompted by a recall issued by Burch Farms in North Carolina for possible Listeria contamination. But cantaloupes produced in southwestern Indiana are also being recalled as they have been identified as the source of a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 141 people in 20 states, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Friday. "It's unbelievable that better traceback measures are not in place, especially after the deadly cantaloupe Listeria outbreak last year," said Attorney Fred Pritzker, food safety advocate and … [Read more...]
Cantaloupe, When In Doubt Throw It Out
If the cantaloupe in your fridge came from a farm in southwestern Indiana, throw it out. If the cantaloupe in your fridge came from Burch Equipment in North Carolina, throw it out. If you don’t know where the cantaloupe in your fridge came from, throw it out. With two current cantaloupe recalls, one of which is linked to a deadly, multi-state Salmonella outbreak, when in doubt, throw it out is the message public health officials are getting out. "Eating cantaloupe should not be the food safety equivalent of Russian roulette," stated Attorney Fred Pritzker, who represents food poisoning victims nationwide and recently won $4.5 million for one client. "We have the technology to protect consumers from dangerous pathogens like Salmonella, and the cantaloupe industry needs to use it." Two … [Read more...]
CDC Announcement of Salmonella Cantaloupe Outbreak
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has officially announced the multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium linked to cantaloupes grown in Indiana.The announcement comes over a month after people began getting sick from the melons. "Every effort should be made to quickly determine the source of a Salmonella outbreak, and when a likely source is found, state and federal health officials should immediately alert the public," said Fred Pritzker, national Salmonella lawyer and food safety advocate. "The primary goal should be prevention of illness." So far, 141 people are ill in 20 states; 31 are hospitalized, and two people in Kentucky have died. The case count by state is: Alabama (7), Arkansas (3), California (2), Georgia (1), Illinois (17), Indiana (13), Iowa (7), … [Read more...]
