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# Publisher's Platform: Deadliest Catch
- URL: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/09/publishers-platform-deadliest-catch/
- Published: 2011-09-26T01:59:03.000Z
- Updated: 2011-09-26T01:59:03.000Z
- Author: Bill Marler
- Tags: Opinion & Contributed Articles, bagged salad, deadliest foodborne outbreaks, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2025-11-25 09:53

I love watching “The Deadliest Catch” when I ever watch T.V. The thought of working in freezing weather in 30-foot swells catching crab for rich people has certain flair to it. The risk is palpable – food meets death. However, I am not so certain that the popular “Rocky Ford” cantaloupe could sustain an audience. Really, how much risk can a cantaloupe have?

Well, apparently way too much.

The CDC as of September 21 listed eight deaths linked to Jensen Farms and Frontera Listeria-tainted cantaloupe from 14 states: 2 in Colorado, 1 in Maryland, 4 in New Mexico, and 1 in Oklahoma.

According to the FDA, cantaloupes were shipped to at least 25 states: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.

What I expect the CDC to confirm Monday or Tuesday is at least 12 deaths: Colorado: 2 deaths, Kansas: 2 deaths, Maryland: 1 death, Missouri: 1 death, Nebraska: 1 death, New Mexico: 4 deaths and Oklahoma: 1 death.

And, here is a bit of history about deaths in foodborne illness outbreaks:

[Jalisco’s Listeria Outbreak](http://outbreakdatabase.com/details/jalisco-products-inc.-queso-fresco-and-cotija-cheeses-1985/?organism=Listeria+monocytogenes&ref=foodsafetynews.com)

• January 1985

• Vehicle: cheese

• Number ill: 86

• Deaths: 29

[Bil Mar Foods Ready-to-eat Meats Listeria Outbreak](http://outbreakdatabase.com/details/bil-mar-foods-ready-to-eat-meats-1998/?organism=Listeria+monocytogenes&ref=foodsafetynews.com)

• January 1998

• Vehicle: deli and cured meats

![Deadliest_catchbody.jpg](http://www.foodsafetynews.com/Deadliest_catchbody.jpg)

• Number ill: 108

• Deaths: 14

[Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) Salmonella Outbreak](http://outbreakdatabase.com/details/peanut-corporation-of-america-peanut-butter-and-peanut-butter-containing-products-2008/?vehicle=peanut&ref=foodsafetynews.com)

• September 2008

• Vehicle: Peanuts and peanut butter

• Number ill: 716

• Deaths: 9

[Pilgrim’s Pride Listeria Outbreak](http://outbreakdatabase.com/details/pilgrims-pride-foods-turkey-deli-meat-2002/?organism=Listeria+monocytogenes&ref=foodsafetynews.com)

• July 2002

• Vehicle: deli meats

• Number ill: 54

• Deaths: 8

[Dole Brand Natural Selections Bagged Spinach E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak](http://outbreakdatabase.com/details/dole-brand-natural-selection-foods-bagged-spinach-2006/?outbreak=natural+selection&ref=foodsafetynews.com)

• August 2006

• Vehicle: spinach

• Number ill: 238

• Deaths: 5

[SanGar Produce Listeria Outbreak](http://www.outbreakdatabase.com/details/sangar-produce-processing-company-chopped-celery-2010/?organism=Listeria+monocytogenes&ref=foodsafetynews.com)

• January 2010

• Vehicle: celery

• Number ill: 10

• Deaths: 5

[Jack in the Box E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak](http://www.outbreakdatabase.com/details/jack-in-the-box-restaurant-chain-ground-beef-hamburgers-1993/?outbreak=%22jack+in+the+box%22&ref=foodsafetynews.com)

• November 1992

• Vehicle: ground beef

• Number ill: 708

• Deaths: 4

[Chi Chi’s Hepatitis A Outbreak](http://www.outbreakdatabase.com/details/jack-in-the-box-restaurant-chain-ground-beef-hamburgers-1993/?outbreak=%22jack+in+the+box%22&ref=foodsafetynews.com)

• October 2003

• Vehicle: green onions

• Number ill: 660

• Deaths: 4