Nutrition & Wellness – Biology 50

Sprouts Recalled Because of Salmonellosis Outbreak

September 7, 2008

The Oregon Department of Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a recall of Sprouter’s Northwest brand alfalfa sprouts following an outbreak of salmonella or salmonellosis.

The Oregon Department of Human Services reported that the company voluntarily recalled the product linked to at least 13 salmonellosis cases, nine people in Washington State and four in Oregon.

The alfalfa sprouts were distributed to grocery stores, restaurants and other retail outlets in Oregon and Washington.

More about Salmonellosis

Salmonellosis is an infection with bacteria called Salmonella. Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, in some persons, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In these patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

How to prevent salmonellosis

• Cook poultry, ground beef, and eggs thoroughly. Do not eat or drink foods containing raw eggs, or raw (unpasteurized) milk.
• If you are served undercooked meat, poultry or eggs in a restaurant, don’t hesitate to send it back to the kitchen for further cooking.
• Wash hands, kitchen work surfaces, and utensils with soap and water immediately after they have been in contact with raw meat or poultry.
• Be particularly careful with foods prepared for infants, the elderly, and the immunocompromised.
• Wash hands with soap after handling reptiles, birds, or baby chicks, and after contact with pet feces.
• Avoid direct or even indirect contact between reptiles (turtles, iguanas, other lizards, snakes) and infants or immunocompromised persons.
• Don’t work with raw poultry or meat, and an infant (e.g., feed, change diaper) at the same time.
• Mother’s milk is the safest food for young infants. Breastfeeding prevents salmonellosis and many other health problems.

Sources:

Associated Press. September 5. 2008.  Salmonellosis outbreak prompts sprout recall. Forbes.

Mike Barber. September 5. 2008.  Salmonella outbreak traced to alfalfa sprouts. Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

CDC. Salmonellosis. Division of Foodborne, Bacterial and Mytotic Diseases.

Image Source: Chris Darling. Green Donut. Creative Commons. Some rights reserved.

Entry Filed under: Articles, Health, Nutrition, Nutrition News. Tags: Alfalfa Sprout Illness, Foodborne Diseases, Salmonella Outbreak, Salmonellosis Outbreak.