Personal Injury Law

Salmonella Sprout Recall in Six Western States

By Jane Akre

Alfalfa sprout lovers in the western U.S. need to be aware that the California Department of Public Health has issued a warning about some varieties contaminated with Salmonella. 

Several brands have been cited and several illnesses have been reported across California including two in Contra Costa County and two in San Francisco.

The product has been taken off of grocery store shelves but may still be in your home.

A salmonella outbreak can cause fever, diarrhea and vomiting. In immune compromised people and the young and old, salmonella can be fatal.

Sprouts are eaten raw and therefore can be easily contaminated by salmonella which comes from fecal material in the growing or handling process.

Sprouts are usually a salad ingredient and contain many vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

In April 2000, a California bean sprout grower caused a salmonella outbreak that hospitalized 17 and made hundreds sick. A salmonella outbreak also contaminated spinach in 2007.

The sprouts should be returned to the store or forwarded to the Environmental Health Services at 831-454-2022.

On company involved in the recall, Salad Cosmo USA Corporation of Dixon, California distributed its product in retail stores Save Mart Supermarket and wholesalers in California and Washington state. The alfalfa sprouts come in a 2.5 ounce plastic container with a white and green label and a 1 pound bag with a blue label.

The other company is J.H. Caldwell and Sons of Maywood, California. The stores they distribute to include California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon and Washington state and include groceries,  Trader Joes, Beach Market, KV Market and Superior Warehouse. They come in 4-ounce and 5-ounce containers.

Produce code number are: Salad Cosmo Alfalfa Sprouts, sold by Salad Cosmo USA Corp. in 2.5-ounce containers with white and green labels, and in clear 1-pound bags with blue labeling. Product codes on these containers are 0219, 0220, 0221, 0222, 0223, 0224, 0226, 0227, 0228, 0229, 0302 and 0303.

Product code numbers are: Always Fresh and Alfa One Alfalfa Sprouts, produced by J.H. Caldwell and Sons, Inc. in 4-ounce and 5-ounce containers. Product codes on these containers are 202182, 202192, 202212, 202222, 202232, 202252, 202262 and 202272.#

Full post as published by InjuryBoard on March 03, 2008 (boomark / email).