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.
New Mexico Listeria Wrongful Death Linked to Cantaloupe: Free Consultation with Lawyer
Four people have died in New Mexico in an outbreak that has been linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupe grown in Colorado. Three of the fatalities in New Mexico include two Bernalillo County men (Albuquerque area), ages 93 and 63, and a 61-year-old Curry County woman (Clovis area). The residence of the fourth victim who died has not yet been released. Our attorneys are available for a free consultation regarding a wrongful death lawsuit against Jensen Farms, a grower of Rocky Ford cantaloupe, Frontera Produce of Edinburg, Texas, and others, including, depending on the facts of the case, a retailer or restaurant.
Retailers, including Safeway, Whole Foods, King Soopers, Albertson’s Walmart and others, voluntarily pulled Rocky Ford cantaloupes off shelves as soon as Rocky Ford cantaoupe were suspected in the outbreak. Jensen Farms recalled cantaloupe it had distributed through Frontera Produce to the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Illinois, Wyoming, Tennessee, Utah, Texas, Minnesota, Kansas, North Carolina, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
The whole cantaloupes in question were shipped between July 29th, 2011 and September 10th 2011, and distributed to the following states: IL, WY, TN, UT, TX, CO, MN, KS, NM, NC, MO, NE, OK, AZ, NJ, NY, PA. 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.
First Albuquerque and then New Mexico recalled all Rocky Ford cantaloupe, which is an area in Colorado where particularly sweet cantaloupe is grown.
The New Mexico Environment Department’s (NMED) Environmental Health Bureau, in conjunction with the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) issued a voluntary recall notice to all state produce retailers, requesting that any cantaloupe grown in the Rocky Ford growing area of southern Colorado be temporarily pulled from store shelves. The recall was prompted by a multistate listeriosis outbreak linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupe. Ongoing collaborative investigations by local, state, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate the likely source of the outbreak is a type of cantaloupe, called Rocky Ford cantaloupes, which are grown in the Rocky Ford region of southeastern Colorado. These cantaloupes were harvested in August and September, distributed widely in the United States. New Mexican residents should refrain from purchasing or handling cantaloupe grown in the Rocky Ford growing area.
New Mexico Food Poisoning Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Linked to Cantaloupe
Attorneys Fred Pritzker and Brendan Flaherty won over $6,000,000 for their clients in a Listeria food poisoning case that involved the wrongful deaths of an elderly man and unborn babies. They have a national practice and are available for a free consultation regarding a cantaloupe lawsuit.
The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) has identified ten cases of Listeria food poisoning to date, with three of these cases resulting in Listeria wrongful death. In New Mexico, all 9 patients who have been interviewed reported eating cantaloupe prior to illness. This is epidemiological evidence that cantaloupe is the source of the outbreak.
All of the ill people in New Mexico have been hospitalized, including the three fatalities (this number may not reflect the loss of an unborn baby in a stillbirth or miscarriage). The fatal cases were: a 93-year-old man from Bernalillo County, a 61-year-old female from Curry County, and a 63-year-old man from Bernalillo County. The other hospitalized cases in New Mexico come from Bernalillo, Chaves, Otero, De Baca, Valencia and Lea counties. The ill people range in age from the 43 to 96 and include 4 men and 6 women. Illness onset ranges from August 20th to early September.
New Mexico Wrongful Death Cases from Cantaloupe Food Poisoning
When someone’s death is caused by a person, corporation, or other legal entity, the law allows the family of the decedent (the person who died) to make a claim for money damages. This is called a “wrongful death claim.” A wrongful death lawsuit is not a criminal prosecution. Only state or federal prosecutors can bring criminal charges. The sole reason for a wrongful death claim is to compensate the family for their loss.
It is important to have an experienced listeriosis lawyer that knows how much your listeriosis wrongful death claim is worth. It is also important for your listeriosis lawyer to be a top-notch negotiator because most listeriosis wrongful death cases are settled. An inexperienced lawyer may not know how much compensation to seek or how to persuade the other side to settle for a fair amount. Contact lawyers Fred Pritzker and Brendan Flaherty for a free consultation.
New Mexico Personal Injury Cases from Cantaloupe
There are 7 people who contracted Listeria infections (listeriosis) after eating cantaloupe and survived. These people deserve justice. We can help them hold the grower, distributor, retailer and possibly others accountable. Because of issues with insurance, it is best to determine all liable (legally responsible) parties.
In the most dangerous cases, an infection from Listeria monocytogenes may lead to septicemia (blood poisoning), meningitis (spinal infection and inflammation), or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Pregnant women are most at risk for contracting listeriosis (the illness caused by Listeria). The mother may not have serious symptoms of Listeria, but there is a high risk of the following:
- miscarriage
- stillbirth
- The baby being born with listeriosis and becoming seriously ill or dying.
Our attorneys have won money for people in each of these high risk groups, including women who were sickened while pregnant.
Pritzker Olsen attorneys represent listeriosis outbreak victims nationwide. They have won millions for their clients in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits against growers, distributors, retailers and restaurants. Our attorneys have had leadership positions on multistate litigation (MDL) panels. An MDL is like a class action lawsuit but only the pretrial procedures are consolidated.
Albuquerque also issued a recall of Rocky Ford cantaloupe after two people in the area died and several others were sickened. Other cities in New Mexico include Carlsbad, Clovis, Farmington, Las Cruces, Roswell and Sante Fe.
Cantaloupe Recall in New Mexico
The New Mexico Environment Department’s (NMED) Environmental Health Bureau, in conjunction with the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) issued a voluntary recall notice to all state produce retailers, requesting that any cantaloupe grown in the Rocky Ford growing area of southern Colorado be temporarily pulled from store shelves. The recall was prompted by a multistate listeriosis outbreak linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupe.
Ongoing collaborative investigations by local, state, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate the likely source of the outbreak is a type of cantaloupe, called Rocky Ford cantaloupes, which are grown in the Rocky Ford region of southeastern Colorado. These cantaloupes were harvested in August and September, distributed widely in the United States. New Mexican residents should refrain from purchasing or handling cantaloupe grown in the Rocky Ford growing area. If cantaloupe has already been purchased, citizens are recommended not to eat the cantaloupe and asked to throw it away. (Note from Pritzker Olsen Attorneys: If someone was sickened by the cantloupe, it may be evidence in a lawsuit against the cantaloupe grower and others. Contact our law firm for a free consultation.)
The New Mexico Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advising people at high risk for listeriosis (older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women) to not eat cantaloupes marketed as coming from the Rocky Ford region of Colorado.
What is the Evidence Implicating Rocky Ford Cantaloupe?
Ill persons were interviewed about exposures during the month before becoming ill; investigators compared their responses to persons with listeriosis reported through the CDC Listeria Initiative, whose illnesses were not part of this outbreak. Preliminary results strongly suggest that illnesses are linked to consumption of cantaloupes. Several ill persons who remembered the type of cantaloupe said they were Rocky Ford cantaloupes. Preliminary source tracing of the cantaloupes persons ate indicated they were marketed as cantaloupes from the Rocky Ford region.
Laboratory testing by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment identified Listeria monocytogenes bacteriaon cantaloupe collected from grocery stores and from an ill person’s home. Product traceback information from Colorado State officials indicated these cantaloupes were marketed as cantaloupes harvested in the Rocky Ford region. FDA is working closely with CDC, the firms involved, and public health authorities in states where illnesses occurred to determine the exact source of contamination.
The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) has identified ten cases of Listeria infection to date, with three of these cases resulting in death. In New Mexico, all 9 patients who have been interviewed reported eating cantaloupe prior to illness.
What is the Status of the Cantaloupe Outbreak in New Mexico?
All of the ill people in New Mexico have been hospitalized, including the three fatalities. The fatal cases were: a 93-year-old man from Bernalillo County, a 61-year-old female from Curry County, and a 63-year-old man from Bernalillo County. The other hospitalized cases in New Mexico come from Bernalillo, Chaves, Otero, De Baca, Valencia and Lea counties. The ill people range in age from the 43 to 96 and include 4 men and 6 women. Illness onset ranges from August 20th to early September.
Cantaloupe Food Poisoning Prevention from NMED
General Melon Safety Advice:
- Consumers and food preparers should wash their hands before and after handling any whole melon, such as cantaloupe, watermelon, or honeydew.
- Wash the melons and dry them with a clean cloth or paper towel before cutting.
- Cut melon should be promptly consumed or refrigerated at or less than 40 degrees F (32-34 degrees F is optimal for storage of cut melon).
- Cut melons left at room temperature for more than 4 hours should be discarded.
What is Listeriosis?
Listeriosis, a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, is an important public health problem in the United States. A person with listeriosis usually has fever and muscle aches, often preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. Almost everyone who is diagnosed with listeriosis has “invasive” infection (sepsis), in which the bacteria spread from the intestines to the blood stream or other body sites. Complications of listeriosis include: Listeria meningitis, hydrocephalus, and wrongful death.
The symptoms of listeriosis vary with the infected person:
- Persons other than pregnant women: Symptoms, in addition to fever and muscle aches, can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
- Pregnant women: Pregnant women typically experience only a mild, flu-like illness. However, infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
Pritzker Olsen attorneys represent listeriosis outbreak victims nationwide. They have won millions for their clients in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits against growers, distributors, retailers and restaurants. Our attorneys have had leadership positions on multistate litigation (MDL) panels. An MDL is like a class action lawsuit but only the pretrial procedures are consolidated.
Albuquerque also issued a recall of Rocky Ford cantaloupe after two people in the area died and several others were sickened. Other cities in New Mexico include Carlsbad, Clovis, Farmington, Las Cruces, Roswell and Sante Fe.
Cantaloupe Outbreak in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska
Our attorneys are investigating a cantaloupe outbreak that has been linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupe. People in several states have been sickened with listeriosis, an infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes. Four people have died. Hold the grower and others accountable. For a free consultation regarding a cantaloupe lawsuit, call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our free consultation form.
The number of infected persons identified in each state is as follows: Colorado (11), Nebraska (1), New Mexico (9), Oklahoma (1), and Texas (2). The four people who died include one person in Colorado and three in New Mexico: a 93-year-old man from Bernalillo County (Albuquerque area), a 63-year-old man from Bernalillo County, and a 61-year-old woman from Curry County (Clovis).
Rocky Ford cantaloupes are grown in the Rocky Ford region of southeastern Colorado. The cantaloupes suspected in this cantaloupe outbreak were harvested in August and September, distributed widely in the United States. Although there is solid evidence that Rocky Ford cantaloupe are the source of this outbreak, there has been no cantaloupe recall, and the CDC admits that contaminated cantaloupe are currently available in grocery stores.
Ill persons were interviewed about exposures during the month before becoming ill; investigators compared their responses to persons with listeriosis reported through the CDC Listeria Initiative, whose illnesses were not part of this outbreak. Preliminary results strongly suggest that illnesses are linked to consumption of cantaloupes. Several ill persons who remembered the type of cantaloupe said they were Rocky Ford cantaloupes. Product traceback information indicated these cantaloupes were marketed as cantaloupes harvested in the Rocky Ford region.
Laboratory testing by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment identified Listeria monocytogenes bacteria on cantaloupe collected from grocery stores and from an ill person’s home. Product traceback information from Colorado State officials indicated these cantaloupes were harvested in the Rocky Ford region.
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