Personal Injury Law

Outbreak of Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:- Infection Spreads - Should interstate sales of sprouts be banned?

By Bill Marler, Esq.

With the number of Salmonella or E. coli Outbreaks linked to sprout consumption nearly 40 in the last few decades by my count, perhaps banning sales of sprouts across state lines would both limit the size of these outbreaks and jump-start small, local, sustainable agriculture?

This recent Outbreak, according to the CDC is expanding:

• From November 1 through December 27, 2010, 94 individuals infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella serotype I 4,[5],12:i:-, whose illnesses began since November 1, have been reported from 16 states and the District of Columbia. The number of ill people identified in each state with the outbreak strain is as follows: California (1), Connecticut (1), District of Columbia (1), Georgia (1), Hawaii (1), Iowa (1), Illinois (51), Indiana (9), Massachusetts (1), Missouri (17), New York (1), Pennsylvania (2), South Dakota (1), Tennessee (1), Texas (1), Virginia (1), and Wisconsin (3).

• Preliminary results of the investigation indicate a link to eating Tiny Greens brand Alfalfa Sprouts at Jimmy John's restaurant outlets.

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a press release advising consumers not to eat Alfalfa Sprouts and Spicy Sprouts (which contain alfalfa sprouts mixed with radish and clover sprouts) from Tiny Greens Organic Farm of Urbana, Illinois. The sprouts were distributed in 4 oz. and 5 lb. containers to various customers, including farmers' markets, restaurants and groceries, in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, and possibly other Midwestern states.

• The CDC warns consumers should not eat Tiny Greens brand Alfalfa Sprouts or Spicy Sprouts, and restaurant and food service operators should not serve them. Consumers, retailers and others who have Tiny Greens Alfalfa Sprouts or Spicy Sprouts should dispose of them in a closed plastic bag placed in a sealed trash can. This will prevent people or animals from eating them.

Here are a few Outbreaks that we have been involved in recently:

• Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches E coli Outbreak – Colorado

• Sprouters Northwest Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak - Washington and Oregon

• Caudill Alfalfa Sprouts Salmonella Outbreak - Multistate

• Harmony Farms Salmonella Outbreak - Washington and Oregon

Full post as published by Marler Blog on December 28, 2010 (boomark / email).