Possible listeria contamination forces cantaloupe recall
Posted: 08.15.2012 at 10:25 AM
A company called Burch Farms is recalling every cantaloupe and honeydew melon it grew this year  / MGN graphic
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A company called Burch Farms is recalling every cantaloupe and honeydew melon it grew this year, because of possible listeria contamination.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.  Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The Food and Drug Administration found listeria on a melon at the company's North Carolina packing facility.

Consumers can identify the affected cantaloupes by stickers that say either Burch Farms or Cottle Strawberry on them.

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