At least five restaurants served sprouts linked to an E. coli outbreak that has sickened 30 people in nine states, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But consumers wondering which restaurants are involved will be left to wonder as health officials are not releasing the names. Sprouts Extraordinaire of Denver has issued a recall for the sprouts which are tainted with two strains: Salmonella Reading and Salmonella Abony. They were sold in 5-pound boxes labeled “Living Alfalfa Sprouts.” Onset of illness dates range from May 21 to July 20. Five people have been hospitalized. States reporting illnesses include: Colorado (13), Kansas (8), Minnesota (1), Missouri (1), Nebraska (2), New York (1), Oregon (1), Texas (1) and Wyoming (1). Symptoms of a Salmonella … [Read more...]
Jack and the Green Sprouts E. coli Outbreak Ends with 11 Sick
The E. coli outbreak linked to alfalafa sprouts from Jack and the Green Sprouts of River Falls, Wisconsin has ended with 11 sick in two states, according to the Centers fro Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Eight people in Minnesota and three in Wisconsin were sickened. Two people were hospitalized. Located in River Falls, Wis., Jack & The Green Sprouts distributes alfalfa sprouts to states in the upper Midwest. Those sickened purchased the contaminated sprouts at a variety of locations including grocery stores, restaurants, salad bars and from commercial food service operations. A recall was issued for the sprouts. Health officials used DNA “fingerprinting” to identify cases of people infected with the outbreak strain of E.coli O157:H7 Case patients who ranged in age … [Read more...]
FDA Joins Salmonella, E. coli “Sproutbreak” Investigations
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has join the investigations into the E. coli and Salmonella outbreaks linked to contaminated alfalfa sprouts. The multistate outbreaks, that are unfolding simultaneously, have been linked to sprouts produced by two different companies: Jack and the Green Sprouts of River Falls, Wisconsin. and Sweetwater Farms of Inman, Kansas. Recalls have been issued for alfalfa and onion sprouts sold under these brand names which were distributed to restaurants, grocery stores, co-ops and food service operations. Consumers and customers who have purchased these products should not eat them as E. coli and Salmonella can both cause serious illness. The Salmonella outbreak, linked to Sweetwater alfalfa sprouts, has sickened 13 people in four states. The … [Read more...]
E. coli, Salmonella Spouts Join Long List of Outbreaks, Recalls
Current E. coli and Salmonella outbreaks are the latest additions to a long list of food safety problems linked to to sprouts. Public health officials consider sprouts a known risk, but as dozens of recalls and outbreaks show, the health risk associated with raw sprouts may not clear to consumers. Sprouts have been recalled an average of four times a year since 2012. And since 2006, there have been more than 40 outbreaks linked to sprouts contaminated with Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria. Often, the source of the problem is traced to the seeds so washing the sprouts won't eliminate the source of bacteria. The bacteria can actually be inside the seeds, so treatments and washing them does not work. "Given the risks, sprout producers need to be more measured in touting the health … [Read more...]
Sprouts Recalled for E. coli Sold at Seward Co-op, Mississippi Market
Jack and the Green Sprout alfalfa and onion sprouts recalled for E. coli were sold at a variety of locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin including Seward Co-op and Mississippi Market locations. The recalled sprouts have been linked to an outbreak that has sickened seven people in Minnesota and two people in Wisconsin. Consumers who have purchased these products should not eat them as E. coli can cause serious illness. The recalled sprouts were packaged in plastic clamshell containers with a brightly colored round label on the top and were distributed throughout the Midwest to grocery stores, co-ops, restaurants, salad bars and commercial food service operations. Symptoms of an E. coli infection, which usually develop between two and five days after exposure and last up to ten days, … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak Prompts Jack & the Green Sprouts Recall
An E. coli outbreak linked to Jack and the Green Sprouts brand sprouts has prompted the company to issue a recall for alfalfa and onion sprouts. Consumers who have purchased these sprouts should not eat them as E. coli can cause serious illness. The company, based in Rivers Falls, Wisconsin, announced the recall by posting the Minnesota Department of Health's news release about the outbreak on its Facebook page preceded by the statement: "Out of abundant caution we are voluntarily recalling Alfalfa and Alfalfa Onion sprouts." The recalled sprouts were packaged in plastic clamshell containers with a brightly colored round label on the top. They were distributed throughout the Midwest to grocery stores, co-ops, restaurants, salad bars and commercial food service operations. The … [Read more...]
Minnesota, Wisconsin E. coli Outbreak Linked to Jack & the Green Sprouts
An E. coli outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts produced by Jack & the Green Sprouts has sickened seven people in Minnesota and two in Wisconsin, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. Consumers should not eat and retailers and restaurants should not sell or serve Jack & the Green Sprouts brand alfalfa sprouts as E. coli can cause serious illness. The sprouts at issue were packaged in a plastic clamshell with a "brightly colored round label on top that notes the sprout variety," according to the Minnesota Department of Health. They may be mixed with other sprout varieties. Located in River Falls, Wisconsin, Jack & The Green Sprouts distributes alfalfa sprouts to states in the upper Midwest. Those sickened purchased the contaminated sprouts at a variety of … [Read more...]
Sprouts to Blame for Two 2014 Food Poisoning Outbreaks
It's been 15 years since a United States National Advisory Committee issued a special report on the problem of pathogen contamination in commercially grown sprouts and the associated outbreaks of E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria that have become a chronic foodborne illness risk for consumers. Based on a pair of multi-state food poisoning investigations so far in 2014, the chances of falling seriously ill or dying from eating contaminated raw sprouts is still a threat. The latest outbreak confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is associated with mung bean sprouts produced in Chicago by Wholesome Soy Products Inc. Two people died and three other case patients were hospitalized in June, July and August from a strain of Listeria monocytogenes traced to the … [Read more...]
E. coli O121: The Bug Behind Jimmy John’s Sprout Outbreak
E. coli O121 is not among the most prevalent types of toxic E. coli by any means, but this pathogenic organism has been traced to two separate multi-state outbreaks of human infections studied closely by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the past 18 months. Most recently, the raw sprout E. coli outbreak in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Utah and Michigan linked to sandwich shops including Jimmy John's. The harmful bacteria infected 18 people who were confirmed as victims of the same outbreak of foodborne illness. Nearly half of all case patients were hospitalized, but no one died. According to the Washington State Department of Health and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, ill persons reported eating sprouts in sandwiches at several local food establishments, … [Read more...]
Clover Sprout E. coli Outbreak Ends, 19 in 6 States Sickened
An E. coli outbreak linked to raw clover sprouts served at Jimmy John's, Pita Pit and Daanen’s Deli has ended after sickening 19 people in six states, according to a report form the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sixteen people were hospitalized. The E.coli O121 outbreak strain hit Washington state hardest with 11 cases. Illnesses reported from other states were as follows: California (1), Idaho (3), Michigan (1), Montana (2), Utah (1), and Washington (11). The sprout grower, Evergreen Fresh Sprouts LLC of Moyle Springs, Idaho, did not issue a recall of the tainted product so health authorities issued a consumer warning about the product which remained on store shelves and in distribution to restaurants due to the lack of recall. Restaurants where cases were … [Read more...]
