Dive Brief:
- Attorneys for cantaloupe farmers Eric and Ryan Jensen, who pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a listeria outbreak, are seeking probation for the two brothers.
- The Jensens were the owners and operators of Colorado's Jensen Farms, which was identified as the source of tainted fruit that killed 33 and hospitalized 147 in 28 states.
- The brothers were charged with introducing adulterated food into interstate commerce — charges they plead guilty to, and which carry punishments of up to six years in prison and $1.5 million in fines.
Dive Insight:
Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 28 and the Jensens' attorneys are saying that jail time would be excessive. Indeed, it does seem the Jensens have tried to make things right as best they can. After filing a negligence suit against Primus Labs — which was hired to monitor safety standards at Jensen Farms, but apparently subcontracted the job out to Bio Food Safety —the brothers "assigned" it to the listeria victims, ensuring that the people affected would receive and split any settlement or judgment in the case.