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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The Huge Contaminated Fruit Recall That Led To 33 Deaths
It wasn't contaminated chicken or undercooked pork. In the summer of 2011, the deadliest foodborne outbreak in recent United States history started with a piece of fruit. Cantaloupes from Jensen Farms in Colorado were contaminated with Listeria, a type of bacteria, and ultimately triggered a massive nationwide recall. This outbreak ultimately killed 33 people and hospitalized at least 147 across 28 states. As CBS News Colorado reported, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) traced the contamination to the farm's unsanitary conditions: equipment that was hard to clean, no antimicrobial rinse, and a facility that previously handled potatoes. Unlike more familiar recalls involving leafy greens or ground beef, cantaloupe typically doesn't carry listeria, so consumers didn't see it coming. And that is the part that made the outbreak so dangerous. There were no warning signs, no usual suspects — just a piece of fruit that tragically turned fatal. The outbreak was so serious that federal prosecutors pursued criminal charges against Jensen Farms. Read more: 7 Costco Meats You Should Buy And 5 You Should Avoid Cantaloupe doesn't exactly scream danger. But that bumpy, netted skin? It's a bacteria trap. Unlike chicken or eggs, melon isn't something you generally cook before eating, so there's no last-minute step to eliminate Listeria and other bacteria. If a farm cuts corners on cleaning or skips proper sanitizing, the damage is done long before the fruit hits your fridge. That's exactly what happened in 2011. The machines had previously been used for potatoes and lacked a chlorine rinse, so by the time anyone noticed, 33 people had died. More than a decade later, we're still seeing dangerous outbreaks. In late 2023, tainted cantaloupe linked to a Salmonella outbreak killed six people and hospitalized dozens more. It wasn't caught until the fruit had already landed on shelves across the country, making it one of the largest produce recalls in recent memory. And these aren't isolated flukes. As our food supply becomes more centralized and industrialized, mistakes ripple farther and faster. From E. coli in lettuce to Listeria in ice cream, the deadliest food recalls in U.S. history are a reminder that what we eat is only as safe as the systems that produce it. For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout.
CBS News
04-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
How one Colorado hospital's expertise in treating burns is helping those injured in Boulder terror attack
Look inside the Colorado burn unit where some of the Boulder attack victims are getting care Look inside the Colorado burn unit where some of the Boulder attack victims are getting care Look inside the Colorado burn unit where some of the Boulder attack victims are getting care Of the 12 people who were injured during the fire bombing terror attack in Boulder on Sunday, three of the victims remain hospitalized at UCHealth as of Tuesday night. They were being treated at UCHealth's Burn and Frostbite Center in Aurora, and two of the three had to be flown to the hospital following the attack due to the severity of the burns. Crime scene tape surrounds the area on Pearl Street in Boulder where a man attacked people with Molotov cocktails. CBS Jenn Wilson, nurse manager of the burn center, invited CBS News Colorado's Dillon Thomas into he burn unit to learn more about how they helped the victims of the attack. While unable to share any specific information about the victims due to privacy laws, Wilson was able to share how the center operated during the response. "It's kind of an all-hands-on-deck situation. When we have several patients coming in at the same time, typically we send out a page to get more help to come to the unit." Wilson said. The burn center in Aurora is one of only about 70 in the United States that has been accredited by the American Burn Association. "That designation indicates that we give the highest quality of burn care that we can," Wilson said. "There are only a handful of ABA-verified burn centers in the country, so this is the gold standard of care and the best place for a burn patient to come." CBS News Colorado's Dillon Thomas interviews Jenn Wilson, nurse manager at UCHealth's Burn and Frostbite Center. CBS Wilson noted that an immediate response and admission for care at the burn unit is important for those severely burned. "The sooner they get to a hospital or an emergency department, or anything like that, the better," Wilson said. Some witnesses told Thomas they were trying to put out the fires on their peers, however, water wasn't working at times. Some also recalled seeing clothes burning into the victims' skin. While unable to speak about the Sunday attack, Wilson said they always have a way to treat patients who may have other contaminants impacting their skin. "When there's chemical on the body, we may need to decontaminate the patient," Wilson said. Wilson said it is important for the response and care team to determine what percentage of the body is burned. In general, the size of someone's palm is considered to be 1% of their body. The University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora. CBS Wilson said the average hospital stay for treatment is around one day for every 1% burned. That means some people severely wounded may have to spend weeks or even months in the hospital before they are healthy enough to try and transition home. "It is a long road for folks with a larger burn to get grafted and covered up. But, we are here for them every step of the way for them to get out of here and thrive," Wilson said.
CBS News
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Former CBS News Colorado photographer Jerry Curran marks 90th birthday
Jerry Curran, who spent decades as a news photographer in Denver, celebrated his 90th birthday Sunday surrounded by friends, family, and former colleagues from KCNC, now known as CBS News Colorado. "I'd rather be 80," joked Curran. Curran, who grew up near City Park in Denver, attended East High School and then the University of Colorado at Boulder, now lives in Denver's Bear Valley neighborhood. Former CBS News Colorado photographer Jerry Curan poses for a photo at his 90th birthday celebration. Tammy Curran His career in broadcast news began in 1961 after he served in the U.S. Army and returned to Colorado. Curran's 49-year career saw him win an Emmy award and several other honors for his work as a photojournalist. He also served as chief photographer at KCNC. "It was a helluva way to make a living," said Curran. Curran is now a grandfather who still enjoys traveling the world with his wife, Joyce. One of his sons, Mike, followed in Jerry's footsteps and is a journalist in Portland, Oregon. Joining in the birthday celebration were former KCNC helicopter pilot Mike Silva, former anchor Reynelda Muse, former reporter Luann Akin and former photojournalists Doug Whitehead and Sharon Levy. Jerry Curran, center, with former KCNC colleagues, from left to right, Mike Silva, Doug Whitehead, Sharon Levy, Luann Akin, and Reynelda Muse. Tammy Curran Curran recalls two of his favorite stories; one involved working with the late Bob Palmer to profile a Hispanic family. The second report revolved around an organ transplant case. Curran says some of his work in television news "was the highlight of my life."
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Beloved cyclist killed in hit-and-run in CO, reports say. ‘Miss you forever'
A 41-year-old cyclist with a 'vibrant spirit' was killed in a hit-and-run in Colorado, officials and loved ones said. The cyclist was riding in Boulder County just before noon on May 18 when he was struck by a Toyota Highlander, the Colorado State Patrol said in a news release. The county coroner's office identified the cyclist as John Wilkinson. The Toyota Highlander drove off but was found later that day abandoned in a park, troopers said. A 23-year-old man has been charged with failing to notify police of an accident and failing to remain at the scene/give information and/or aid after an accident, according to state troopers, who said more charges are expected. McClatchy News couldn't immediately reach an attorney for the 23-year-old on May 22. In the news release, Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said, 'Throughout Colorado, there are far too many cyclists and pedestrians who are tragically injured or killed every year,' adding that 'these cases are a priority in this jurisdiction.' Wilkinson was remembered in news reports and on social media for his passion and dedication. He was 'a cycling machine,' his dad, Bob Wilkinson, told CBS News Colorado, adding that 'he rode hundreds and hundreds of miles a week.' And beyond cycling, 'He just was, he was just a good kid overall. It's a terrible loss to us,' his dad said, according to the outlet. The Colorado bike shop CyclErie — where Wilkinson worked, according to the Daily Camera — wrote on Instagram that 'the loss of John's vibrant spirit is heartbreaking, infuriating, and utterly avoidable.' The shop went on to say, 'There's no silver lining — only grief for a friend who won't join us at work, a brother who won't call back, and a loving partner who won't return from his Sunday ride,' adding that 'we'll miss you forever.'
New York Post
15-05-2025
- New York Post
Illegal migrant, 15, gets probation and must go to school after killing Colorado rehab worker, 24, in high-speed crash
A 15-year-old illegal immigrant who killed a Colorado drug rehab worker in a high-speed crash in a residential neighborhood was given a slap on the wrist by a Democrat prosecutor, endorsed by several prominent party members. The Colombian national juvenile, who cannot be named due to state law, was sentenced to two years of probation and 100 hours of community service for the July 2024 death of Kaitlyn Weaver. Arapahoe County District Attorney Amy Padden offered the teen the plea deal if he admitted guilt in the deadly crash, promised to attend school and not break any more laws, CBS News Colorado reported. 6 Kaitlyn Weaver was killed when a 15-year-old illegal immigrant slammed a speeding Jeep into her car in Aurora, Co., in July 2024. Family Handout The teen was racing his mother's Jeep Cherokee at over 90 mph through a posted 45 mph street when he slammed into Weaver's Volkswagen in Aurora, Colo. Weaver, 24, was 'effectively killed instantly,' her father John Weaver told the outlet. Weaver was speaking with her boyfriend on speaker phone when she stopped at a stop sign, allowing a car to pass before she crossed into the intersection and was T-boned by the teen. 'She didn't even see him coming,' the heartbroken father said. 'That's how fast he was going.' The driver's side of Weaver's car was completely mangled in the crash. 6 The damage left to Weaver's car after the crash with the illegal immigrant. Aurora Police Department 6 Police investigate the crash site as firefighters work to get Weaver out of the car after the crash in July 8, 2024. Aurora Police Department Weaver spent two days in the hospital before her parents took her off life support and donated her organs to others in need. The teen, who was also unlicensed to drive the car, had other kids in the car with him at the time of the deadly crash. He was charged with vehicular homicide. Colorado state law prohibits minors from being publicly identified in criminal court cases. His mom told investigators she planned to move him back to Colombia, but the teen has since filed for asylum in the US, CBS reported. 6 Police released a rendering of the crash showing the path of both the dark colored Jeep and Weaver's silver Volkswagen. Aurora Police Department The teen was processed through juvenile court, with the Weavers expecting a full trial until Padden was elected to office and replaced the former district attorney. 'The DA's office said this would be a 'no plea deal' case, so they were not going to offer anything; any concession,' John Weaver said. 'Why the change? If he had taken a firearm and recklessly just shot it and killed someone, this would be a different case. They would be pushing it completely differently,' he added. 'There's no deterrence.' Kaitlyn Weaver attended the University of Colorado Boulder to study psychology and volunteered with the suicide hotline before working at the drug rehab center in Aurora. 'She was really trying to make a difference in their lives every day,' her dad said. The teen had taken the uninsured Jeep without permission, meaning the boys mother is not responsible for the deadly crash. John Weaver blasted the several policies that allowed the teen to crash into his daughter. 'Immigration and the criminal justice system and all these things landed together one day in Aurora and now I sit here today without a daughter,' he said, fighting back tears. 6 Amy Padden poses with Kamala Harris in a photo shared to Facebook in 2020. Amy Padden/Facebook 6 Amy Padden and Stacey Abrams stand for a picture in a photo from 2022. Amy Padden/Facebook Padden addressed her controversial decision in a comment under a non-related Facebook post, focusing on the danger of speeding, only briefly mentioning the teen's immigration status. 'We acknowledge Kaitlyn Weaver's death was the direct result of a crash caused by an unlicensed teenager driving at nearly twice the posted speed limit. This tragic loss is a powerful reminder that it is not just alcohol or drug impaired driving that takes lives,' Padden wrote. 'Driving at dangerous speeds has deadly consequences too and they are felt by our entire community. Although the driver's age and relevant legal statutes resulted in this case being handled in juvenile court, this should not diminish the severity of the offense.' Padden previously received endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders (V-I,), Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) and Colorado Sens. John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, and has shared photos of herself with Stacey Abrams and Kamala Harris. 'We unequivocally condemn such reckless and unlawful behavior, which had devastating and irreversible results. We assigned Kaitlyn's family a Victim Advocate to assist and guide them throughout the judicial process, and we communicated with them before agreeing to a final disposition in this case. Prior to sentencing, Kaitlin's family members addressed the judge with heartfelt recollections of Kaitlyn and pointed comments directed at the juvenile offender. No legal outcome can truly make up for the profound loss and void Kaitlyn's loved ones will live with permanently,' she added.
