Cantaloupe processor to blame for listeria outbreak, investigation finds

WASHINGTON — A congressional investigation into a listeria outbreak that killed 30 people found that the incident could have been avoided if a Colorado cantaloupe processor had followed guidelines and washed the fruit in chlorinated water, Bloomberg reported.

According to the report issued today by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Jensen Farms in Granada, Colo., also added new processing equipment that may have led to contamination.

“FDA officials stated that the outbreak could likely have been prevented if Jensen Farms had maintained its facilities in accordance with exiting FDA guidance,” according to the House panel’s report.

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