The eighth largest food poisoning outbreak in 2016 was a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157 infections linked to alfalfa sprouts produced by Jack & the Green Sprouts. Eleven people in two states were sickened in this outbreak. Two people were hospitalized. The case count by state is: Minnesota (8), and Wisconsin (3). No one developed hemolytic uremic syndrome in this outbreak, and no one died. The facility that produced the sprouts is located in River Falls, Wisconsin. Epidemiological evidence indicates that that facility is the likely source of the outbreak. Raw sprouts are a known source of foodborne illness. People in high risk groups, such as the elderly, the very young, people with chronic illnesses, and those with compromised immune systems should not eat raw … [Read more...]
Researchers Develop Antimicrobial Wash for Fresh Produce
The Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to Dole packaged salads and greens has sickened at least 18 people in nine states. And there are two other ongoing outbreaks of illness linked to fresh produce products. An E. coli O157 outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts produced by Jack and the Green Sprouts has sickened at least 9 people in two states. And a Salmonella Muenchen outbreak linked to Sweetwater Farms alfalfa sprouts has sickened 9 people in three states. All of these outbreaks have consumers understandably nervous. The FDA says that we should continue consuming fresh produce for good health, and that the health benefits of these products outweighs the risk of illness. However, if you have been sickened after eating a salad or a sandwich, the health benefits of lettuce and sprouts … [Read more...]
Minnesota Legal Roundtable Centers on Sprouts, E. coli Lawsuits
E. coli lawsuit questions and answers about chronic food poisoning outbreaks linked to alfalfa sprouts were fielded this week by a roundtable of lawyers in the Minneapolis offices of Pritzker Hageman, a national firm that practices extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation. The discussion, conducted by Food Poisoning Bulletin, centered on two multi-state, sprout-related outbreaks of Salmonella and E. coli in 2016. The latest of the outbreaks was uncovered by the Minnesota Department of Health and investigated by FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). On March 2, the CDC reported that seven Minnesotans and two residents of Wisconsin were infected by the same strain of E. coli O157, traced to alfalfa sprouts grown at Jack & the Green Sprouts of … [Read more...]
Jack and the Green Sprouts MN and WI E. coli Outbreak: Protect Yourself
The FDA has released information on how to select and serve produce safely, which is timely considering the two current outbreaks linked to raw sprouts. An E. coli O157:NM outbreak in Minnesota and Wisconsin has sickened at least 9 people, and a Salmonella Muenchen outbreak in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania has sickened at least 13. It's worth noting, however, that raw sprouts are an inherently risky product, and your selecting and handling this food may not have any effect at all on their safety. Sprouts can be contaminated from within, so no amount of cleaning on your part will ever make them safe. For other produce, you can follow safe handling tips to protect yourself and your family. And if you choose to eat raw sprouts, these tips may help reduce the risk of … [Read more...]
E. coli Sprout Outbreak in MN and WI: FDA Guidance
An E. coli O157:NM outbreak linked to recalled Jack and the Green Sprouts raw alfalfa sprouts and alfalfa onion sprouts has sickened seven people in Minnesota and two people in Wisconsin. Sprouts are a risky food that have been linked to at least 30 outbreaks in the past 20 years. In addition, many recalls of this product have been issued. The FDA has issued two about growing raw sprouts. In July 1999, the FDA issued an advisory to the public called "Consumers Advices of Risks Associated with Raw Sprouts," along with two guidance documents for sprout growers to try to deal with the problem. Sprouts include alfalfa, clover, sunflower, broccoli, mustard, radish, garlic, dill and pumpkin as well as mung, kidney, pinto, navy, soy beans and wheat berries (wheat grass). The most common … [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...]
