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Nebraska-Iowa Salmonella Outbreak Prompts SunSprout Alfalfa Sprout Recall Source of Article: http://www.newsinferno.com/archives/4916 Date
Published: Thursday, March 5th, 2009 The alfalfa sprouts
linked to the salmonella outbreak that began in The recalled sprouts
are sold refrigerated under the SunSprouts label in
four-ounce clear plastic clamshell containers with “Best If Sold By” dates expressed
in two different styles: “30209″ or “MAR 02 2009,” “30409″ or
“MAR 04 2009,” “30709″ or “MAR 07 2009,” “30909″ or “MAR 09
2009,” “31109″ or “MAR 11 2009,” and “31409″ or “MAR 14 2009.” SunSprout Enterprises of Omaha Nebraska said that the
recalled sprouts were sent to food distributors in Yesterday, the
Associated Press (AP) reported that of 24 potential salmonella cases, 14 are
confirmed, four are considered probable, and eight-to-10 other cases are
considered suspect. Five cases of salmonella poisoning have been confirmed in
According to the AP,
the Sunsprouts brand sprouts were distributed by CW
Sprouts of Omaha and sold at grocery stores and restaurants; all of the
recalled products are involved in the recalled. Now, the FDA is investigating
what, if anything, contributed to the contamination at the plant, said the
AP; however, investigators are trying to determine if the sprouts were
contaminated earlier in the food chain. Meanwhile, WOWT is
reporting that victims of this outbreak might be eligible to receive
reimbursement for costs related to medical care and lost pay, noting that any
business in the food chain, from farm to table, could be potentially liable
for the outbreak that is spreading across at least two states. From farm to
table includes just that, any vendor involved in the process, for instance,
grocery stores and restaurants. According to WOWT, there are seven
distributors in The FDA is working
to ensure restaurants pull the recalled SunSprouts
and not not use them and,
said WOWT, two area restaurants and one grocery have done just that; however,
the number of restaurants potentially involved in the SunSprouts
recall and salmonella outbreak are unknown. One of the
challenges in this outbreak is that sprouts can become tainted with
salmonella prior to harvesting, when they are growing. Also, the conditions
required for sprout growing are optimal for growing pathogens. Bacteria need
the right temperature, nutrients, and water and sprouts grow in watery, warm
environments, ideal for rapid bacterial growth. Sprouts are usually eaten raw
with no additional treatment, such as cooking, which eliminates bacteria that
can cause disease and food borne illnesses; washing sprouts does not
necessarily remove bacteria because bacteria grow within the sprouts and
cannot be washed away. |
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