Two serious outbreaks of foodborne illness have prompted the Food and Drug Administration to keep a closer eye on the cantaloupe industry. The items were responsible for two distinct outbreaks which took place in the past two years, incidents which led 400 people to become ill due to the presence of Listeria and Salmonella. Three dozen people were killed by the illness, and the FDA wants to try to make sure that this kind of thing doesn’t occur again. To that end, the organization has warned producers and processors of cantaloupes that they are going to increase their oversight of the industry during the upcoming growing season. Because of the Food Safety Modernization Act, unsavory conditions turned up during an inspection can receive prompt action from the FDA.
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