Dr. Herbert Schmidt is the head of the University of Hohenheim's Department of Food Microbiology. His work focuses on foods and E. coli contamination, particularly the virulent enterohemorrhagic strain of the bacteria called EHEC. These bacteria are also known as Shiga-toxin producing E. coli, or STEC, and they cause serious illness that can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). After the 2011 E. coli O104:H4 outbreak in Germany that sickened more than 3,800 people and killed 54, more research has been conducted into ways to make ready-to-eat foods safer. That outbreak was linked to raw sprouts. Dr. Schmidt's project is part of a collaboration between the Research Association of the German Food Industry, the German Federation of Industrial Research Association and the German Federal … [Read more...]
U Joo Foods Enters into Consent Decree with FDA
U Joo Foods, a Chicago sprout grower and processor have entered into a consent decree of permanent injunction with the FDA. The company and its owner are "prohibited from processing and distributing food until they demonstrate to the FDA that the facility and processing equipment are suitable to prevent contamination in the food that they process, prepare, store, and handle. In addition, they must routinely test the water where the sprouts are grown for evidence of contamination." Sprouts are more likely to be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria because of the way they are grown. In the fields, animals and birds can come into contact with the plants. In fact, many sprout seeds encapsulate bacteria as they grow. Then, when they are sprouted in warm, moist environments, bacteria can … [Read more...]
Sprouters Northwest Expands Sprout Products Recall
Sprouters Northwest is expanding its recall of sprout products to include all varieties of sprouts products, wheatgrass, and pea shoots because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The previous recall was issued on February 2, 2013. The new recall includes Brassica brand name, with the same sizes as Sprouters Northwest and LifeForce brands: 3 ounce, 4 ounce, 5 ounce, 1 pound, 2 pound, and 5 pound packages. Trader Joe's Organic Pea Shoots, with SKU number 92756, packaged in a 4 ounce plastic clamshell and offered for sale ONLY in Oregon and Washington States are also recalled. The best by dates are through 2/16/13. In addition, the recalled sprouts were also sold in Idaho. The problem was identified through surveillance of finished products collected at retail … [Read more...]
Sprouters Network Listeria Recall Now Includes All Sprout Varieties
Sprouters Northwest of Kent, Washington is expanding its recall of products possibly contaminated with Listeria to includes all varieties of sprouts products, wheatgrass and pea shoots. The products under recall now include all varieties of sprouts products including 3-Bean Munchie, Alfalfa, Bean, Broccoli, Brocco Sandwich sprouts, Clover, Deli, Spicy; Wheatgrass and/or Pea Shoots that were distributed through 1/30/2013 in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and British Columbia, Canada through retail stores and food service distribution chains. The recalled products are sold under the Sprouters Northwest and LifeForce brand names and sold in plastic clamshell containers, plastic cups, 3 oz , 4 oz and 5 oz plastic trays and in plastic 1 lb. 2lb, or 5lb. bags. The "Best By" dates include all … [Read more...]
Sprouter Northwest Recalls Sprouts for Possible Listeria
Sprouter Northwest is recalling 1953 pounds of alfalfa, clover, brocco sandwich sprouts, and spicy sprouts because of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. There is no word on if any illnesses have been reported in association with the consumption of these products. The products were sold from 1/10/13 to 1/18/13 in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and British Columbia, Canada through retail stores and food service distribution chains. The products are Clover Sprouts in 5 ounce containers with best by date of 1/26/13 and UPC number 0 33383 70235 3; Clover Sprouts in 1 pound bag with best by date of 1/26/2013 and UPC number 0 79566 12351 5; Clover Sprouts in 2 pound tray with best by date of 1/26/2013 and UPC number 0 79566 12351 5, and Clover Sprouts in 4 ounce containers with … [Read more...]
New Produce Safety Rule: Sprouts Pose “A Unique Risk”
The newly proposed produce safety rule of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) has a section devoted to sprouts because they “present a unique risk.” That’s because the ideal conditions for growing sprouts are also ideal for growing pathogens, as we have seen many times in recent years. Since 1996, there have been 30 “sproutbreaks” where sprouts contaminated with Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli, and other pathogens have caused outbreaks of illness. In 2012, sprouts were recalled for potential contamination at least seven times and caused one of the largest multi-state foodborne illness outbreaks of the year. The 11-state outbreak which sickened 29 people was linked to sprouts served at a fast food sandwich chain. Also in 2012, Kroger, one of the nation’s largest … [Read more...]
Largest Multi-State Food Poisoning Outbreaks Of 2012: #8
An E. coli outbreak linked to clover sprouts served at a fast-food sandwich chain was the eighth largest multi-state food poisoning outbreak of 2012, based on the total number of people sickened. “Sproutbreaks” are common in the US. On average, there have been two every year since 1990, sickening about 125 people annually with E. coli, Salmonella or Listeria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This 11-state outbreak, which was announced in March, sickened 29 people who ranged in age from 9 to 57 years old almost 90 percent of whom were female. At least seven people were hospitalized. There were no fatalities. It wasn’t the only time sprouts made headlines this year. In 2012, there were at least seven sprout recalls. Leasa Industries Inc. of Florida … [Read more...]
Linked To Outbreaks, Dumped By Retailers, Sprout Growers Form Safety Group
Last month, Kroger, one of the nation's largest grocery store chains announced it would no longer carry sprouts because they pose too large a food safety risk. One week later, a handful of sprout growers announced the formation of a new group: Sprout Safety Alliance. “I am very happy to see this new organization taking a leadership role in addressing sprout safety. Sprouts are a challenging product and it is time for members of the industry to get ahead of the safety issues related to sprouts,” former FDA Commissioner Dr. Les Crawford, said in a statement. Whether it’s time or about time growers got ahead of food safety issues is for consumers to decide. Sprouts have so long and consistently been linked to foodborne illnesses outbreaks, they have their own moniker: sproutbreaks. … [Read more...]
Kroger Stops Selling Sprouts
In the past 10 months, there have been many recalls of raw sprouts for bacterial contamination and one large outbreak linked to sprouts in Jimmy John's sandwiches. The CDC advises many consumers to avoid raw sprouts altogether or to cook them thoroughly before consuming. Now a national grocery chain, Kroger, has decided to stop selling sprouts. Payton Pruett, Kroger's vice president of food safety, said in a statement, "after a thorough, science-based review, we have decided to voluntarily discontinue selling fresh sprouts. Testing and sanitizing by the growers and safe food handling by the consumer are the critical steps to protect against foodborne illness. Sprouts represent a unique challenge because pathogens may reside inside of seeds where they cannot be reached by the currently … [Read more...]
Henry’s Farm FDA Warning Letter for Listeria Monocytogenes in Sprouts
The FDA has sent a warning letter to Henry's Farm, Inc. in Virginia for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination in soy bean sprouts. A sample of the sprouts tested by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services yielded a positive test result for the bacteria. Samples collected by the FDA at the onsite inspection in April and May, 2012 yielded Listeria monocytogenes. Inspectors found "numerous insanitary conditions and practices that may have contributed directly or indirectly to contamination of your sprouts with pathogens and filth." There were numerous rodent pellets in bags of mung beans, and gnaw marks on 25 kg paper bags of soybeans in the refrigerated seed storage area. Gaps under the doors could lead to contamination, and a "foul odor consistent with rodent … [Read more...]
