Contaminated Cantaloupes Killed 23 People. Why Not More?
Categories: Talking Points
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Apparently, people taking stomach-acid-reducing drugs are more at risk for getting sick, since the acidity in the gut kills off many of the bugs. And the average age of those afflicted is 78, and older adults don't have immune systems strong enough to fight off such a virulent bacteria. Those of us with locavorist tendencies may see this nationwide outbreak as a result of the industrialization of the food; the scientists interviewed by the NPR might agree -- the longer produce contaminated with listeria is stored, even in the refrigerator, the more the bacteria multiply.
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