After an inspection at Jensen Farms where the Listeria monocytogenes in cantaloupes came from the FDA have made the following comments.
(The full report is through the link below.)
Jensen Farms environmental samples had 13 out of 39 taken, positive for the Listeria isolated from affected patients. Also cantaloupes from the firm’s cold storage showed the same isolates. This prompted further investigation which concluded that there may have been low levels of Listeria monocytogenes in the fields growing the cantaloupe which could have been introduced to the packing facility. The facilities design allowed water to pool on the floor, it was difficult to clean or sanitise. There was no pre-cooling step so warm cantaloupes in the cold storage had condensation formed which may have helped the Listeria to grow and spread.
FoodWorld 