Dive Summary:

• The FDA sent an official letter to cantaloupe growers and processors this week outlining their concerns over the susceptibility of their products to spread the listeria pathogen.
• Both 2011 and 2012 saw widespread outbreaks of listeria traced back to cantaloupe production, so the FDA has increased inspections in 2013 and is currently working to revise their safety legislation for the troublesome fruit. 
• The letter shows the agencies willingness to work with the food industry on health and safety concerns before it may be forced to begin wielding a bigger stick.

From the article:

"... During the 2013 growing season, the agency said it intends to initiate inspections with a sampling component as a subset of cantaloupe packinghouses in the country.

'The aim of these inspections is in part, to assess the current practices by this segment of the produce industry and to identify insanitary conditions that may affect the safety of cantaloupe destined for distribution to consumers.' ..."