Listeria can get in cantaloupe
Cantaloupes may look innocent, but they are the source of the most deadly foodborne illness outbreaks in recent years. In 2011, a listeria outbreak in cantaloupes caused foodborne illness in 147 people and killed more than 30. Shockwaves from the outbreak are still felt today. Just this week, Walmart settled 23 civil cases linked to the listeria-contaminated cantaloupes it sold.
How did the cantaloupes get contaminated in the first place? Listeria is a bacteria commonly found in water and soil. Officials speculate that the cantaloupes were contaminated by irrigation water or a heavy rainstorm. The cantaloupe’s textured skin can trap and hold bacteria it picks up during growing, harvesting, packing, storage, transport, and distribution. When a customer cuts into an infected cantaloupe, the knife penetrates the rind and carries bacteria through the interior of the fruit and to the unsuspecting consumer.
Foodborne illness prevention
Fortunately, the story doesn’t have to end that way. Here are steps you can take to prevent foodborne illness from cantaloupe in your own home:
- Wash your cantaloupe: By scrubbing the exterior of the fruit with antibacterial soap, you can remove harmful bacteria from the rind before you cut into it. Washing the rind is a simple step, but it can make all the difference.
- Avoid punctured cantaloupe: The rind of the cantaloupe acts as a protective covering, shielding the interior from hazards. But if the rind is penetrated, bacteria can get inside. Avoid purchasing cantaloupes with punctured rinds.
- Control time and temperature: Cantaloupe is a time-temperature sensitive food. This means that cantaloupe grows bacteria easily and can spoil when left at room temperature. If a cut melon sits out for two hours or more, throw it away.
—Suzanna Sandridge
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in May 2014 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.
