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Table Of Contents
- Update: Fullei Fresh Alfalfa Sprouts Recalled Over E. Coli Contamination
- What’s the problem?
- SunSprout Alfalfa Sprouts Recalled for Salmonella Contamination
- Salmonella Outbreaks in U.S., Australia Highlight Risks of Sprouts
- FAQs:
- What Is the Primary Reason for the Alfalfa Sprout Recall?
- Which Alfalfa Sprout Brands Have Been Recalled Recently?
- What Symptoms Should I Look out for if I Consume Contaminated Alfalfa Sprouts?
- What Actions Should Consumers Take if They Purchased Recalled Alfalfa Sprouts?
- Have There Been Any Reported Cases of Illness Linked to the Recalled Alfalfa Sprouts?
- Do Alfalfa Sprouts Carry Bacteria?
- Do I have an Alfalfa Sprouts Recall Lawsuit?
Update: Fullei Fresh Alfalfa Sprouts Recalled Over E. Coli Contamination
The FDA has announced that Fullei Fresh is recalling Alfalfa Sprouts [1] due to the detection of Shiga toxin producing E.coli (STEC).
“Shiga toxin producing E.coli is an organism that can cause foodborne illness in a person who eats a food item contaminated with it,” FDA said. “Symptoms of infection may include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. The illness primarily impacts elderly individuals, children, and people with weakened immune systems. Most healthy adults and children rarely become seriously ill.”
Affected sprouts were shipped to distributors and retailers in Florida between December 9-23, 2022. The lot number of the recalled sprouts is 336.
This recall began on January 17, 2023.
What’s the problem?
This week, raw alfalfa sprouts sold by Caldwell Fresh Foods were recalled due to salmonella poisoning. The sprouts were sold to Wal-Marts in Alabama, California, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
According to the CDC, the alfalfa sprouts appear to have sickened at least 22 people in 10 states, including a baby in Oregon. Eleven of those sickened were in California. The sprouts were sold in at least seven other stores in California, including Trader Joe’s. Caldwell, based in Maywood, Calif., said in a release that the sprouts were sold at restaurants, delicatessens and retailers nationwide.
In addition to those who were sickened in California, two were sickened in Nevada and two in Wisconsin. Arizona, Oregon, Idaho, Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico and Colorado each had one person become ill, the CDC said. The illnesses began between March 1 and May 2 and six people were hospitalized.
Wal-Mart spokeswoman Caren Epstein said sprouts were removed from the produce departments of the affected stores as soon as the retail chain was made aware of the recall. She said 75 Wal-Marts in Illinois, 56 Wal-Marts in Georgia and 47 Wal-Marts in Louisiana purchased the sprouts. The rest of the stores were spread through the remaining 12 states.
This is the second large multi-state outbreak in fresh produce announced this month. Twenty-six people were sickened by an outbreak of E. coli in romaine lettuce in Michigan, New York, Ohio, Tennessee and Pennsylvania. Seven additional cases are suspected, the CDC said.
SunSprout Alfalfa Sprouts Recalled for Salmonella Contamination
SunSprout Enterprises is recalling 2 lots (#4211 and 5211) of raw alfalfa sprouts in 4-ounce clamshells, with best by dates between 12/10/22 and 12/27/22, due to potential contamination with salmonella [2].
More than 800 pounds of the recalled alfalfa sprouts were distributed to 5 foodservice and grocery customers in Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa between late November and early December 2022. The lot code and best buy date of affected sprouts are printed on the front of the package. The alfalfa sprouts are available in the produce section of grocery stores.
This recall began on December 28, 2022.
Related alfalfa cases from Schmidt & Clark, LLP:
- Leasa Alfalfa Sprouts Recall Case
- Springwater Sprouts Alfalfa Recall Case
- Specialty Farms Organic Alfalfa Sprout Recall Case
- Evergreen Fresh Alfalfa Sprout Recall Case
See all food poisoning cases that our attorneys had been handled.
Salmonella Outbreaks in U.S., Australia Highlight Risks of Sprouts
Recent salmonella food poisoning outbreaks in the U.S. and Australia have once again focused attention on the danger of sprouts. In South Australia, at least 223 people have fallen ill with Salmonella Saintpaul infections [3] after eating mung bean sprouts. In the U.S., a salmonella outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts [4] has sickened 13 people in four states, hospitalizing five of them.
Sprouts are a common source of food poisoning that have been linked to more than 40 outbreaks over the past two decades, according to federal health authorities. The warm, humid environments in which sprouts grow are also ideal for growing bacteria. To prevent contamination, growers use safeguards to prevent bacteria from entering the growing area such as treating seeds, testing irrigation water and taking corrective actions if any samples are positive. Still, contaminated sprouts often find their way to market.
FAQs:
What Is the Primary Reason for the Alfalfa Sprout Recall?
The primary reason for the Alfalfa sprout recall was due to potential contamination with harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli. These contaminants can cause severe foodborne illnesses, prompting the recall to protect consumer health.
Which Alfalfa Sprout Brands Have Been Recalled Recently?
Alfalfa sprout brands that have been recalled recently SunSprout, Fullei Fresh, and Evergreen Fresh. Each of these brands had specific lots of Alfalfa sprouts recalled due to contamination risks.
What Symptoms Should I Look out for if I Consume Contaminated Alfalfa Sprouts?
Symptoms that you should look out for if you consumed contaminated Alfalfa sprouts include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea (which may be bloody), fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal distress. If you experience these symptoms after consuming alfalfa sprouts, seek medical attention immediately.
What Actions Should Consumers Take if They Purchased Recalled Alfalfa Sprouts?
Consumers who have purchased recalled alfalfa sprouts should not consume them. They should either discard the products immediately or return them to the place of purchase for a refund. It is important to handle and dispose of the contaminated sprouts carefully to avoid further contamination.
Have There Been Any Reported Cases of Illness Linked to the Recalled Alfalfa Sprouts?
Yes, there have been reported cases of illness linked to the recalled Alfalfa sprouts. For instance, at least 21 cases of Salmonella infection have been associated with Evergreen Fresh alfalfa sprouts. Similarly, other recalls have led to multiple reports of illness across different states.
Do Alfalfa Sprouts Carry Bacteria?
Alfalfa sprouts carry bacteria because they grow best in warm, humid conditions, which can also promote the growth of harmful germs. When consumed raw, as they often are in sprout sandwiches, they can lead to food poisoning from bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, or Listeria.
Do I have an Alfalfa Sprouts Recall Lawsuit?
The Food Poisoning Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus exclusively on the representation of plaintiffs in alfalfa sprouts recall lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new food poisoning cases in all 50 states.