As many as 14 people have died from possible listeria illnesses traced to Colorado cantaloupes, which is now described as the deadliest outbreak in a decade.
That news comes as Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. is recalling 131,300 pounds of ground beef. A family in Ohio became sick after eating meat produced by the company that was contaminated with E. coli, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported Wednesday.
The state monitors distribution of recalled items, contacting the retailers or distributors, according to Brian Long, spokesman for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture.
"We make sure that the recall is being complied with. We want to make sure that any recalled product is being removed from sale in North Carolina,” he said.
Still, some consumers wondering what else they’re taking home when they leave the store.
"It is frustrating because you could be anywhere in a store and you think you're trying to eat healthy and you get something that's contaminated,” said Gretchen Hammond, who shopped at the Raleigh Farmer's Market Wednesday.
"It is a little frustrating. I feel like media tries to scare us sometimes and brings on new fruit or vegetable to be afraid of every month,” said Joanna Baumgart, who shopped at the Raleigh Farmer's Market Wednesday.
The solution is partly in your hands, according to N.C. State University professor Sophia Kathariou of the Department of Food Science.
"People need to be smart and to use common sense,” she said.
That means washing produce before cutting it.
“Once it is cut, you have a lot of exposed surface. You want to have minimal treatment, minimal handling of those cut products,” Kathariou said.
She warns a wash or scrub may not do much.
"Once a bacterium is on that surface of the fruit, it's actually very, very difficult to get rid of it by washing,” Kathariou said.
She cleared up a common misconception, saying people should not wash meat before cooking.
"Washing is only going to spread whatever contaminants are on them further in the kitchen area,” Kathariou said.
She said the cooking will get rid of bacteria and viruses.
Kathariou also recommends washing and drying produce, such as cantaloupe and watermelon, before putting it in the refrigerator.
"Not only has it been there on the farm in the soil, but it has been handled by a number of people,” she said.
That will also help it last longer.
Kathariou said people should not avoid cantaloupe right now, except people who are pregnant, elderly or are undergoing chemotherapy. Those people are most at risk of listeria. She said everyone should be safe from dangers of bacteria in meat as long as it is properly cooked.
For more information on how to be safe and smart when preparing food, visit: ncfoodsafety.com
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