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...]
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...]
