Chamberlain Farms of Southwestern Indiana, has been identified as the source of at least some of the salmonella responsible for sickening 178 people in 21 states this month.
On August 23rd, the FDA revealed their suspicion that Chamberlain Farms could be one of the sources of the outbreak. Samples were taken and tests were completed but it was not confirmed until today that the farm was indeed responsible for the outbreak. Over the past few weeks, Chamberlain Farms representatives were quick to note that test results had not come back proving their cantaloupes were contaminated with the same strain of salmonella as the reported illnesses.
Today, the FDA and health officials confirmed that the salmonella collected from Chamberlain Farms in Owensville matches the DNA fingerprint of the strain responsible for the outbreak.
FDA spokeswoman Shelly Burgess stressed that state and federal agencies were continuing their investigation into the case and still pursuing other possible sources of the outbreak. The source may not be limited to Chamberlain Farms.
Amy Reel, spokeswoman for the Indiana State Department of Health, said there have been several samples taken from multiple southern Indiana farms to investigate all possible sources of the outbreak.
As for consumers who may have purchased the contaminated cantaloupe, Burgess has one piece of advice: “If in doubt, throw it out,” she warns.
Source: MontrealGazette.com
