Well, tied anyway. Last week the CDC reported eight deaths linked to Jensen Farms Frontera Cantaloupe:
2 in Colorado
1 in Maryland
4 in New Mexico
1 in Oklahoma
Although, not yet on the CDC website, State Health Departments report the following additional deaths:
2 in Kansas
1 in Nebraska
2 in Texas
1 in Wyoming
At 14 deaths, the Jensen Farms Frontera Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak moves into tied for number 2 in U.S. deadliest outbreaks. Here is a bit of history about deaths in foodborne illness outbreaks:
- January 1985
- Vehicle: cheese
- Number ill: 86
- Deaths: 29
Bil Mar Foods Ready-to-eat Meats Listeria Outbreak
- January 1998
- Vehicle: deli and cured meats
- Number ill: 108
- Deaths: 14
Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) Salmonella Outbreak
- September 2008
- Vehicle: Peanuts and peanut butter
- Number ill: 716
- Deaths: 9
Pilgrim’s Pride Listeria Outbreak
- July 2002
- Vehicle: deli meats
- Number ill: 54
- Deaths: 8