Health Law

Salmonella Outbreak in Alfalfa Sprouts - 23 Sick in 10 States

By David Babcock

At least 23 persons have been sickened in 10 states in an another outbreak of Salmonella linked to alfalfa sprouts, according to the Oregonian.  Included in the ill was a baby boy in Multnomah County, Oregon, who was hospitalized in May, but has reportedly recovered.

The outbreak,  which apparently began in March, was traced to "alfalfa sprouts sold under several labels that were produced by Caldwell Fresh Foods of Maywood, California."

Caldwell Fresh Foods is recalling all of its sprouts.   The recalled brands include: Caldwell Fresh Foods, Nature's Choice and California Fresh Exotics brands.  A complete list of where the sprouts were sold is not currently available.   In Oregon, the implicated sprouts were sold at Trader Joe's and Walmart, and possibly other locations.

Very unsurprisingly, Oregon health officials are among those leading the way:

William Keene, senior epidemiologist withe the state Public Health Division, said the sprouts were sold in at least 19 states in the West, Midwest and the South. The outbreak includes cases in Oregon, Idaho, California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Missouri and Wisconsin.

This is the 12th time since 1995 that alfalfa sprouts have caused an outbreak of food poisoning, prompting health officials to issue warnings.  Keene told the Oregonian, "We want people to understand that it is a relatively high-risk food.  They need to consider that if they eat it."

Full post as published by Food Poison Blog on May 21, 2010 (boomark / email).