Cantaloupe packers may be subjected to more inspections by U.S. regulators this growing season following listeria and salmonella outbreaks in the past two years linked to unsanitary processing of the melons.
“We intend to initiate inspections with a sampling component at a subset of the cantaloupe packinghouses,” the Food and Drug Administration said in a letter today to growers, processors and shippers.
The action follows outbreaks in 2011 and 2012 of listeria and salmonella that collectively sickened 400 people and caused at least 36 deaths. Investigations into those outbreaks found unsanitary production, handling conditions and practices at packinghouses, according to the letter.
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