FDA: Farm tied to salmonella outbreak was unclean

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A federal inspector found two strains of salmonella and unclean conditions at an Indiana cantaloupe farm’s fruit-packing plant during visits following a deadly outbreak linked to its melons.

The Food and Drug Administration posted a report on its website on the inspector’s findings during mid-August visits to Chamberlain Farm Produce Inc., in Owensville.

The inspector reported finding improperly cleaned equipment and algae growing in standing water beneath conveyer belts in the plant. One of the two salmonella strains was found on cantaloupes that had been processed and boxed.

The FDA says the farm is the source of at least some of the salmonella outbreak that sickened 270 people in 26 states this summer. Officials say 101 people were hospitalized, and three deaths were reported in Kentucky.