Listeria hysteria

Beware of the cantaloupes!

Not as well-known as other fruit, cantaloupe is a muskmelon that has a firm light brown rind and an orange middle. A sweet scent makes the melon appetizing, but the latest outbreak of listeria has caused melon lovers to look to other produce.

The number of illnesses and deaths due to listeria is on the rise around the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control on Thursday, 18 states reported outbreaks; Texas reporting 14 illness cases and two deaths.

Listeria is a bacterial infection that can take weeks or even months to reveal symptoms. Flu-like symptoms such as aches and pains are an indicator of the disease. If you begin to develop any of these symptoms and have eaten cantaloupe, see a physician immediately.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most adults can consume listeria and not have any symptoms. However, those most at risk are the elderly and pregnant women. 

The cantaloupes being recalled are linked to Jensen Farms in Colorado. The  CDC and Food and Drug Administration advised that anyone who has a cantaloupe produced by Jensen Farms should dispose of the fruit immediately.

Registered Nurse Sue Pilukaitis of the Richland Health Services Center offered advice to avoid consuming bacteria that may cause illnesses, in addition to listeria.

 "How many of us take a cantaloupe from the store, cut it with a knife and eat it? After you've taken a knife and cut through the outside, which is loaded with bacteria, you put it on the food and you eat it," she said. "Most of us have great immune systems that can handle the bacteria, but it's those that don't who can get sick. Wash the outside first."

While there isn't an official list of retailers who sold the tainted fruit, consumers should not eat the fruit if they're not sure whether or not the grocer they purchased it from recieved the cantaloupe from the Colorado farm.

Students will be happy to know that there are no cantaloupes on campus. Subway has no fruit available  except  boxed apple juice.  Baristas at Jittery Joe's had never heard of a cantaloupe. The closest thing to fruit the bookstore offers is fruit gummies that have no trace of cantaloupe.

While cantaloupe is currently the food under the radar, there are many others that are recalled and cause food-born illnesses. So, is it possible that infected foods could be sold on campus?

"I am sure Subway takes every precaution to serve the community as well possible. The information goes to the corporations and that information is going to filter down to make sure that food has been removed," Pilukaitis said. "Yes, it's always possible, but the possibility is extremely slim."

Keeping up with the media and current recalls is a way to make sure food being consumed is healthy and disease-free.