US: Del Monte Fresh withdraws Oregon claim
The company has now said that it would not act on its notice to sue William Keene and Oregon Public Health over a cantaloupe-related outbreak last year.
Keene and several other epidemiologists across the country determined that the company's cantaloupes from Guatemala had sickened at least 20 people in Oregon and nine other states. Three of the people were hospitalized, including one in Oregon.
Public health officials welcomed the company's retreat."Obviously, it's a relief for us that that's withdrawn so now we can focus on the job we're supposed to do which is to protect the public's health," said Dr. Katrina Hedberg, state epidemiologist.
The claim was unprecedented and the state frequently name the culprits of food borne illness. Del Monte had stated that no salmonella had been found in thier cantaloupes specifically, but they were named regardless.
"There have been lots of outbreaks," Hedberg said. "Why some companies choose to work with public health and others want to fight it - I can't answer that."
The company's letter to the state, regarding the withdrawal said that Del Monte Fresh were acting in "a show of good faith."
Source: www.oregonlive.com
