ALDI Sold Cantaloupe From Jensen Farms
ALDI was one of the retailers that sold Jensen Farm cantaloupes which have been identified as the source of the multi-state Listeria outbreak that has stricken more than 100 people in 26 states.
The Illinois-based retailer was notified of a potential problem in mid-September and immediately recalled the melons from its 1,100 U.S. stores which are located in 31 states, primarily from Kansas to the East Coast, including the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and South Florida.
The cantaloupes affected by this voluntary recall were sold individually in the fresh produce section in ALDI stores. The whole cantaloupes had a green and white sticker that read: Product of USA- Frontera Produce-Colorado Fresh-Rocky Ford-Cantaloupe or a gray, yellow, and green sticker that reads: Jensen Farms-Sweet Rocky Fords.
ALDI removed all of these cantaloupes from store shelves in September and currently stocks cantaloupes from other growing regions that are not subject to this recall. However, the incubation period for listeriosis can take up to 70 days, so customers who may have purchased and eaten tainted melons before the recall was announced, may not show signs of illness until mid-November.
State and federal health officials urge anyone who believes they have become ill from eating a contaminated melon to seek medical advice. Those with legal questions regarding this outbreak should contact our Listeria attorneys for a free consultation.
CDC Report on Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak Deaths and Illnesses
The latest report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms that 116 people have become ill and 23 have died from the cantaloupe Listeria outbreak. The outbreak, which has been linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupe melons grown on Jensen Farms in Holly, Colo., is one of the deadliest on record.
It began on, or shortly after, July 31, 2011 and has infected people in 25 states:
Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), California (1), Colorado (34), Idaho (1), Illinois (1), Indiana (3), Iowa (1), Kansas (7), Louisiana (2), Maryland (1), Missouri (4), Montana (1), Nebraska (6), New Mexico (13), New York (1), North Dakota (1), Oklahoma (11), Oregon (1), South Dakota (1), Texas (17), Virginia (1), West Virginia (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (3).
Twenty-three deaths have been reported:
Colorado (5), Indiana (1), Kansas (2), Louisiana (2), Maryland (1), Missouri, (1), New Mexico (5), New York (1), Oklahoma (1), Texas, (2) Wyoming (1). In addition, one woman pregnant at the time of illness had a miscarriage.
The CDC recommends that consumers, especially older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women, not eat whole or pre-cut Rocky Ford-brand cantaloupe from Jensen Farms.
If you need legal advice about an illness associated with this outbreak, contact the Listeria experts at the law firm of PritzkerOlsen P.A.
$2,700,000 Listeria Death Settlement, Now Lawyer Investigating Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak
Attorney Fred Pritzker settled a Listeria death case for $2,700,000. The case involved an 81-year-old man who contracted a Listeria infection (listeriosis) after eating food contaminated with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. After investigating the outbreak case, determining potential defendents and identifying and understanding the damage done to the family, settlement negotiations were commenced. Although initially the defendants did not acknowledge any responsibility for the outbreak, Pritzker was able to get the $2,700,000 settlement. Contact Fred Pritzker for a free consultation regarding a Listeria wrongful death lawsuit.
Mr. Pritzker and his team of attorneys at PritzkerOlsen are now investigating the Listeria outbreak linked to whole Rocky Ford cantaloupe grown by Jensen Farms in Granada, Colorado. One of the wrongful death cases the firm is handling involves a 76-year-old Illinois man who died from complications of Listeria, primarily sepsis, on September 11, 2011. He ate cantaloupe every day before developing symptoms of listeriosis.
Lawyers Representing Listeria Victims Nationwide
Attorney Fred Pritzker, Elliot Olsen, Brendan Flaherty and Ryan Osterholm are accepting cantaloupe Listeria cases in all affected states:
California (1), Colorado (14), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Kansas (6 probable cases), Maryland (1), Montana (1), Nebraska (4), New Mexico (10), Oklahoma (8), Texas (9), Virginia (1), West Virginia (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (1).
The list of affected states continues to grow. We have been contacted by families and victims of the outbreak who suspect their cases are part of the outbreak, and we are in the processes of doing the epidemiology and microbiology to determine if they are. In addition, because patients can develop listeriosis up to 2 months after eating contaminated food, cases related to this outbreak may continue to be reported through October.
Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak Information from the CDC
CDC has confirmed a total of 55 persons infected with the 4 outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes. All illnesses started on or after August 4, 2011. Listeriosis illnesses in several other states are currently being investigated to determine if they are part of this outbreak.
Among persons for whom information is available, illnesses began on or after August 4, 2011. Ages range from 35 to 96 years, with a median age of 78 years old. Most ill persons are over 60 years old or have health conditions that weaken the immune system. Fifty-nine percent of ill persons are female. Among the 43 ill persons with available information on whether they were hospitalized, all were hospitalized.
Eight deaths have been confirmed as part of the outbreak by the CDC: 2 in Colorado, 1 in Maryland, 4 in New Mexico, and 1 in Oklahoma. Fred Pritzker and his team are investigating other deaths that are likely caused by the contaminated Jensen Farms cantaloupe.
Evidence That Jensen Farms Cantaloupe Caused the Listeria Illnesses and Deaths
Among the 36 ill persons with available information on what they ate, 34 (94%) reported consuming cantaloupes in the month before illness onset. Several ill persons remembered the type of cantaloupe they had eaten and said they were Rocky Ford cantaloupes, which are grown in the Rocky Ford region of southeastern Colorado. Source tracing of the cantaloupes that ill persons ate indicated that they came from Jensen Farms, and were marketed as being from the Rocky Ford region. These cantaloupes were shipped from July 29 through Sept 10 to at least 17 states with possible further distribution.
Laboratory testing by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment identified Listeria monocytogenes bacteria on cantaloupes collected from grocery stores and from an ill person’s home. Product traceback information from Colorado state officials indicated these cantaloupes also came from Jensen Farms. Laboratory testing by FDA has identified L. monocytogenes matching outbreak strains in samples from equipment and cantaloupe at the Jensen Farms’ packing facility in Granada, Colorado.
Jensen Farms Cantaloupe Recall
In response to the Listeria outbreak linked to its cantaloupe, Jensen Farms, of Holly, Colorado recalled their shipments of Rocky Ford whole cantaloupe shipped between July 29th, 2011 and September 10th 2011, and distributed to the following states by Frontera Produce of Texas: IL, WY, TN, UT, TX, CO, MN, KS, NM, NC, MO, NE, OK, AZ, NJ, NY, PA. The cantaloupe was also distributed by other companies, including Basila Produce in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Wal-Mart Distribution in Los Lunasand, NM.
The whole cantaloupes may have a green and white sticker that reads: Product of USA- Frontera Produce-Colorado Fresh-Rocky Ford- Cantaloupe or a gray, yellow, and green sticker that reads: Jensen Farms-Sweet Rocky Fords. Some recalled cantaloupe may not have a sticker.
Retailers who received recalled cantaloupe include Walmart, Albertsons, Whole Foods Market, Supervalue (retail network includes ACME®, ALBERTSONS®, CUB®, FARM FRESH®, HORNBACHER’S®, JEWEL-OSCO®, SHAW’S/STAR MARKET®, SHOP ‘N SAVE® and SHOPPERS®), King Soopers. Additional retailers received the cantaloupe, but federal and state health officials have not released a list of all retailers.
Oklahoma Listeria Wrongful Death and Illnesses from Cantaloupe: Free Consultation with Lawyer
Attorneys Fred Pritzker and Brendan Flaherty won $2,700,000 for a family in a Listeria wrongful death case. They and their team of lawyers are now investigating Listeria cases in Oklahoma linked to a multistate outbreak linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupe grown and distributed by Jensen Farms in Colorado and distributed by Frontera Produce of Texas. There is one wrongful death and 5 confirmed Listeria personal injury cases.
Our attorneys are available for a free consultation regarding a cantaloupe lawsuit against Jensen Farms, Frontera Produce, and possibly a retailer or restaurant.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has now confirmed a total of six cases of Listeria infection (listeriosis) related to cantaloupe shipped by Jensen Farms from the Rocky Ford, CO, growing region. All six cases were hospitalized and one of these died. An additional four listeriosis cases are under investigation, and are suspected to be related to the nationwide outbreak. All of the Oklahoma cases are over the age of sixty.
In response to this outbreak, Jensen Farms recalled its Rocky Ford cantaloupe. The recalled cantaloupes were shipped from the Rocky Ford growing region of Colorado from July 29 through September 10. The recalled cantaloupes were distributed by Jensen Farms and Frontera Produce of Texas to at least 17 states, including Oklahoma. Retailers like Walmart, Supervalue, Albertsons and Whole Foods Market have pulled the recalled cantaloupes off of their shelves.
The serious health risks after an infection from Listeria monocytogenes for the elderly include:
- Blood poisoning (Septicemia)
- Spinal Infection and Inflammation (Meningitis)
- Brain inflammation (Encephalitis)
Any of these can be fatal or lead to permanent, severe brain damage. When there is a wrongful death, the family has a claim against responsible parties. When the Listeria victim survives, he or she has a claim and their spouse may also have a claim.
Lawyers Investigating Cantaloupe Sold at Safeway, Whole Foods Market, Walmart, King Soopers and other Stores
Retailers have pulled Rocky Ford cantaloupes grown by Jensen Farms of Colorado off shelves after an outbreak linked to the melons sickened over 20 people in 7 states with listeriosis (an illness caused by Listeria monocytogenes bacteria). Some of the retailers who received Jensen Farms cantaloupe include the following: Safeway (Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico in Aztec and Farmington, South Dakota and Wyoming), Whole Foods, King Soopers (Colorado and Wyoming), Albertson’s, Walmart (one lawsuit lists Colorado Springs store), and Aldi. Our lawyers are investigating this cantaloupe outbreak and are available for a free consultation regarding a lawsuit against the grower (Jensen Farms), the distributor (Frontera Produce of Texas) and the store or restaurant that sold you the contaminated cantaloupe.
Our attorneys represent Listeria victims nationwide. To date, the CDC lists the following as states with confirmed listeriosis cases that are part of this outbreak: Colorado (12), Indiana (1), Nebraska (1), New Mexico (4 and possibly 10), Oklahoma (1), Texas (2), and West Virginia (1). Our law firm has also been contacted from people in other states whose loved ones may be part of this outbreak.
There are 22 confirmed cases of listeriosis linked to this outbreak and two deaths, one in Colorado and one in New Mexico. Three other deaths in New Mexico may also be connected to this outbreak.
Cantaloupe Recall
Prompted by the listeriosis outbreak, Jensen Farms recalled their shipments of Rocky Ford whole cantaloupe because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria. The Jensen Farms cantaloupes in question were shipped between July 29th, 2011 and September 10th 2011, and distributed to the following states: Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Arizona, Illinois, Wyoming, Tennessee, Utah, Minnesota, Kansas, North Carolina, Missouri, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The whole cantaloupes have a green and white sticker that reads: Product of USA- Frontera Produce-Colorado Fresh-Rocky Ford- Cantaloupe or a gray, yellow, and green sticker that reads: Jensen Farms-Sweet Rocky Fords.
Pritzker Olsen attorneys have won millions for Listeria victims and their families. They have also held leadership positions on multidistrict litigation (MDL) panels. MDL is like a class action lawsuit, but it only consolidates the pretrial procedures. Contact our lawyers for a free consultation.
News Sources: http://efoodalert.wordpress.com/2011/09/16/did-your-supermarket-sell-colorado-cantaloupes/, http://www.gazette.com/articles/county-124861-cases-cantaloupe.html.
