Are Cantaloupes Safe?

                                           

                                        Some ripe cantaloupes artistically cut, but not deadly

                                                             Photo Taken by: Clay Irving

            Cantaloupes: the deadliest fruit in the world? Maybe not in general but for the past 3 weeks they have been. On September 14^th Jensen Farms recalled all of their cantaloupes due to a listeria infection. The cantaloupes have caused a reported 18 deaths, according to CNN, and 100 cases have been reported in 20 states.  Listeria is a bacterium which causes listeriosis a relatively rare disease which mainly occurs in pregnant women and newborns. Health officials have said that the number of cases is expected to grow in the next two months. So during that time I would stay away from cantaloupes grown by Jensen Farms, which is located in Colorado. The CDC has said that if you have cantaloupes from Jensen Farms you should immediately throw out the cantaloupe. They have also said that if you are unsure of the source of your cantaloupes you should consult the supermarket from which you bought it, or throw out the cantaloupe. They warn that refrigerating the cantaloupe does not kill the bacteria, which can grow at low temperatures. So for the moment stay away from cantaloupe recipes, and if the urge for melon hits you try a cantaloupe from Washington not Colorado. For more click here

                        -Chef Boyardee