From foodconsumer.org
California: Alfalfa sprouts may be tainted with salmonella
By Sue Mueller
Mar 3, 2008 - 5:13:50 PM
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MONDAY MARCH 3, 2008 (Foodconsumer.org) -- The California Department of Public Health issued a public advisory to warn residents in the state of the risk of consuming certain brands of alfalfa sprouts because they may have been contaminated with Salmonella, which can cause serious illness.
The advisory reminds consumers that the manufacturers of concern are voluntarily recalling their alfalfa sprouts after routine testing detected salmonella. No cases of illness associated with consumption of the recalled alfalfa sprouts have been reported so far.
"Consumers, especially young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are susceptible to serious infection when exposed to Salmonella," Horton, director of the Health Department said. "Today's warning is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of foods sold in California."
Salad Cosmo Alfalfa Sprouts, produced by Salad Cosmo USA Corp of Dixon, California, were distributed to retail stores including SaveMart Supermarket and wholesale distributors throughout California and Washington.
The product subject to the recall is packaged in 2.5 ounce plastic containers with white and green labels and clear 1-pound bags with blue labeling.
The packages come with Salad Cosmo Alfalfa Sprouts labeled, along with "Use By" codes, 0219, 0220, 0221, 0222, 0223, 0224, 0226, 0228, 0229, 0302 and 0303 printed on the front label of the 2.5 ounce packages and on the left side of the 1-pound bags near the product name.
Subject to the recall, Always Fresh and Alfa One alfalfa sprouts, produced by J.H. Caldwell and Sons Inc. of Maywood, California, is distributed to wholesale distributors and retail grocery stores in California, including Beach Market, KV Mart and Superior Warehouse, and to Trader Joes grocery stores in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.
Always Fresh and Alfa One is packaged in 4-ounce and 5-ounce containers and in plastic bags with product codes 202182, 202192, 202202, 202212, 202222, 202232, 202242, 202252, 202262 and 202272. The product code is printed on the side of the containers and on the back of the plastic bag, according to the public advisory released by the department.
The department of health says that the growing condition for raw alfalfa sprouts is ideal for rapid bacterial growth. Sprouts often are eaten raw, with no additional treatment, potentially posing a risk to consumers.
Symptoms of Salmonella infections such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever can show up within 8 to 72 hours of people eating food contaminated with salmonella. Symptoms also include chills, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Usually they will disappear within 4 to 7 days without medical intervention.
However, some people are most vulnerable to salmonella infections, particularly infants and young children, pregnant women and their unborn babies and elderly people and those with their immune system compromised such as those with HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, and transplant patients.
Consumers who purchased the products subject to the recall should immediately discard them or return them to the store where they purchased the product for a refund. For any questions, consumers can call Salad Cosmo USA Corp. at (707) 678-6633 or J. H. Caldwell and Sons Inc. at (323) 589-4008.
For more information on salmonella infections, read Salmonella Questions & Answers