The E. coli outbreak linked contaminated clover sprouts now includes 17 people people in five states, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). AT least seven people have been hospitalized.
The outbreak which was first included 10 cases in Washington and Idaho now includes 10 cases in Washington, three cases in Idaho, two cases in Montana, and 1 case in Michigan. Some of the case patients reported eating sandwiches from Jimmy John’s and other sandwich shops before becoming ill.
Health investigators have tracked the source of the outbreak to Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, LLC in Idaho, which has not issued a recall. Contaminated sprouts may still be on the market, and consumers should not purchase these sprouts, the CDC warns.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspected Evergreen Fresh Sprouts’ facility on May 22 – May 23; May 27-30, and June 6, 2014. During the inspections, investigators found a number of food safety violations including: condensation dripping form pipes, a rusty corroded watering system; old tennis rackets used as food utensils; and corroded equipment.
E. coli causes abdominal cramps and diarrhea that is sometimes bloody. If you ate sprouts and are experiencing these symptoms, see a doctor and mention your possible exposure as antibiotics can worsen E. coli infections.
