GUILTY CO - Eric & Ryan Jensen for listeria outbreak that killed 33, Holly, 2011

http://q13fox.com/2013/09/27/colora...ntaminated-cantaloupe-outbreak/#axzz2g6iH9fD9

DENVER — A pair of Colorado brothers have been arrested on charges connected to a deadly outbreak of contaminated cantaloupes, the 2011 listeria epidemic that killed 33 people, federal officials said Thursday.

Eric and Ryan Jensen were arrested on misdemeanor charges of introducing adulterated food into interstate commerce, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s office in Colorado. The brothers, who owned and operated Jensen Farms in Granada, Colo., surrendered to U.S. marshals Thursday, prosecutors said.........

If convicted, each defendant faces up to a year in prison and a fine of $250,000 on each count........

http://www.latimes.com/nation/natio...d-cantaloupe-outbreak-20130926,0,879683.story

LA Times article with more info.

Interesting, I have not heard of Listeria before. Apparently only folks with a weak immune system usually get sick from it but those that do get sick have a 20-25% mortality rate!

From Wikipedia:

Asymptomatic patients who have been exposed to listeria are not recommended for treatment. It is recommended that these patients be informed of the signs and symptoms of the disease and to return for medical care if symptoms present.

Listeria is an opportunistic pathogen: It is most prevalent in the elderly, pregnant mothers, and AIDS patients.

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Listeria is NASTY. A nasty bug. I've only seen it under the scope.

http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/definition.html

And...wow. A cheese Recall

http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/cheese-07-13/index.html

Cherry said:

Listeria is NASTY. A nasty bug. I've only seen it under the scope.

http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/definition.html

And...wow. A cheese Recall

http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/cheese-07-13/index.html

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It is nasty, Cherry alright. I remember from microbiology being freaked out by it. Then we had this here.



http://articles.philly.com/2002-09-04/news/25361976_1_philadelphia-man-outbreak-brie-and-camembert

The brie, feta and camembert. Then all those ready made salads. Then the deli meats.

Thankfully those brothers were charged. Doesn't bring those poor people back though.

Jensen Farms owners, Eric and Ryan Jensen, plead guilty in deadly cantaloupe case

DENVER - Two Colorado cantaloupe farmers pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal criminal charges tied to a deadly listeria outbreak, but their attorneys insist there was no intent to harm anyone.

Eric and Ryan Jensen pleaded guilty to six counts of introducing adulterated food into interstate commerce in connection with the 2011 listeria outbreak that killed at least 33 people.

"I'm glad they finally placed some blame on themselves," said Jennifer Exley, whose father was sickened and later died after eating tainted cantaloupe.

"(The guilty pleas) won't bring my father back," Exley said, "but at least they’re taking some responsibility for it now."

more at link ................ http://www.thedenverchannel.com/new...sen-to-plead-guilty-in-deadly-cantaloupe-case

From January 2014:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...ncing-of-colorado-cantaloupe-farmers/4958671/

Eric and Ryan Jensen, the two brothers who owned and operated Jensen Farms in Holly, Colo., were sentenced in federal court in Denver.

Each received five years probation and six months home detention. Each also was ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution and perform 100 hours of community service...

The investigation found multiple problems, including evidence that the melons likely were contaminated in the farm's packing house because of dirty water on the floor and old, hard-to-clean equipment.

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