Suit: Man Contracts Listeria From Cantaloupe Purchased At Aldi

CHICAGO (STMW) - A man contracted listeria after eating a cantaloupe purchased at an Aldi store in the South Side Jeffrey Manor neighborhood last September, a negligence lawsuit filed Tuesday claims.

Theodore Brown and his wife, Rosie purchased a cantaloupe, Sept. 15, 2011, from an Aldi food store, located at 2333 E. 95th St., according to a lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court.

Shortly after, Brown became ill with fever, nausea, vomiting, cramping, aches and fatigue, the suit said.

Brown was taken to the emergency room of Advocate Trinity Hospital, Sept. 16, 2011, and admitted for listeria, the suit said. According to an online search, listeria is a type of bacteria that affects people through contaminated food.

The suit claims that the produce was not inspected to ensure that it was clean and safe for consumption.

The 12-count suit claims negligence and loss of consortium. It seeks a jury trial and more than $600,000 in damages.

Spokespeople from Frontera Produce, Ltd. Jensen Farms, Inc. Primuslabs, which were also named in the suit, were unavailable for comment Tuesday evening. Jerry Wakel, owner of Bio Food Safety, Inc., had no comment regarding the suit.

In Sept. 2011, a 71-year-old man sickened with listeria filed a lawsuit after purchasing a Jensen Farms cantaloupe at a Walmart in Colorado Springs, Colo., according to media reports. Jensen Farms quickly launched a voluntary nationwide recall.

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