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...]
Manna Organics Recalls Tofu and Soybean Sprouts for Possible Listeria
Sprouts are in the news again. Manna Organics of New Jersey is recalling soybean sprouts and tofu because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled products were distributed to retailers, restaurants, and distributors in Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia on or after July 17, 2012. The products include Soonyeowon Soybean Sprouts, Jinga Firm and Soft Tofu, Soonyeowon Firm Tofu, Soft Tofu, and Silken Tofu, Tofu Large Bucket, 10 and 5 piece Tofu, Soon Tofu, Soy Milk, and Small Tofu. You can see all of the names, package sizes, UPC codes, and expiration dates at the FDA web site. No illnesses have been reported in connection with these products. Random testing by the … [Read more...]
Banner Mountain Sprouts Recalled for Possible Salmonella
Banner Mountain Sprouts is voluntarily recalling organic sprouts because they may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. Routine testing showed signs of Salmonella. Product details: Banner Mountain Sprouts 4 ounce zesty greens 5 ounce sprout salad 4 ounce clover 2 pound clover 4 ounce alfalfa/broccoli 4 ounce alfalfa sprouts 1 pound alfalfa sprouts 2 pound alfalfa sprouts Distributed through retail stores and wholesalers in California Sell by date from 6/17/12 to 7/6/12 The 4 and 5 ounce sizes are clear, plastic clamshell containers. The 1 and 2 pound sizes are a ziplock bag. No illnesses have been associated with any Banner Mountain sprouts. You can see all of the product labels at the FDA site. If you have purchased any of these products, discard them. … [Read more...]
Henry’s Farm Expands Soybean Sprout Recall
Henry's Farm is expanding its recall of Soybean Sprouts to include Natto Soybean sprouts because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Product details: Grown in Natural Spring Water Natto Soybean Sprouts Clear plastic packages 1 pound Not coded Distributed to retail stores in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. Contamination was discovered by VDACS Food Safety and Security Program. No illnesses have been reported to date. If you have purchased this product, return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. For questions, call 301-802-2996. … [Read more...]
Jimmy John’s Salmonella Sprouts Outbreak Declared Over by CDC
In its final update on the Jimmy John's clover sprouts E. coli outbreak that sickened customers of the fast-food sandwich chain in 11 states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a count of 29 total case patients, including at least seven who were hospitalized. The official announcement from the agency said outbreak victims ranged in age from 9 to 57 and that 89 percent of them were women. No deaths were reported and there were no reported cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The outbreak of E. coli O26 started in late December 2011 and investigators continued to confirm new cases throughout the month of March. It was in February when the CDC announced that traceback investigations indicated that eating raw clover sprouts at Jimmy John's restaurants … [Read more...]
Jimmy John’s Outbreak Hospitalizes Four In Michigan
With nine confirmed cases and four hospitalizations, Michigan has been hit hard by the Jimmy John’s E. coli outbreak. The outbreak, linked to tainted clover sprouts, has sickened at least 25 people in eight states, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Federal investigators say the sprouts were tainted before they arrived at Jimmy John’s locations throughout Michigan where residents in Kent, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties fell ill. The nine confirmed cases of E. coli poisoning genetically match the E.coli 026 outbreak strain. The patients range in age from 19-50 and became ill after eating at Jimmy John’s between February 6 and February 12. Symptoms of an E.coli infection include abdominal cramps and watery or bloody … [Read more...]
German Doctors Had Success Treating E. coli Patients With an Antibiotic
The standard medical recommendation for doctors treating patients infected with any type of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) bacteria has been not to use antibiotics out of concerns for an increased risk of life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). But a report this month in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows how German doctors had success treating some victims of last year's giant and deadly outbreak of E. coli O104:H4 with azithromycin. Those who took it cleared the E. coli from their bodies substantially faster than those who did not. A review of the JAMA piece by Dr. Robert Jasmer, a clinical professor at the University of California, San Franciso, said that by day 35 there were no carriers of the organism in the treated group. But carriage … [Read more...]
Jimmy John’s E. coli Outbreak Expands Into Ohio, Alabama; 25 Sick
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified 11 newly confirmed case patients in the sprout-driven Jimmy John's E. coli outbreak, bringing the total number of illnesses to 25 in eight states. Michigan accounted for seven of the new cases, Ohio three and Alabama one. The CDC's update notes that 88 percent of victims in this outbreak are women and six people infected by the outbreak strain of E. coli 026 have been hospitalized. The CDC has associated the outbreak with contaminated raw clover sprouts served on Jimmy John's sandwiches at locations in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Alabama. So far there have been no instances of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a known complication of toxic E. coli infection that shuts down a person's … [Read more...]
Elite E. coli Sharp Shooter for CDC Weighs in on Dangers of Raw Sprouts
Lieutenant Commander Rajal Mody is a medical doctor who works in the Enteric Diseases Epidemiology Branch at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where he leads many of the agency's surveillance and epidemiologic studies of Shiga toxin-producing E coli infections and related hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) cases. Dr. Mody has produced a video that the CDC has labeled expert commentary on why people who want to avoid foodborne illness should not consume raw sprouts of any kind. His insights are contained in one of the links on the latest CDC outbreak update on the Jimmy John's E. coli clover sprouts outbreak that has sickened at least 14 people in six states, including Michigan and Iowa. While training in CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service, Dr. Mody led investigations … [Read more...]
