Sprouts, Cilantro, Other Produce Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

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If your mother has ever told you to eat your sprouts, you probably should have done as you were told. Considering sprouts are rich in nutrients and have been shown to have preventative and curative abilities that ward off disease, listening to your mom on this one was probably a good idea.

But if she’s told you to eat your sprouts in the past two months, let’s hope due to the holidays, you were able to boycott her demands and reach for pumpkin pie instead.

A salmonella outbreak linked specifically to sprouts and cilantro has developed in parts of Canada and the U.S. that has sickened nearly 100 people in areas such as the Canadian provinces Quebec and Ontario, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and possibly other states.

The outbreaks have been reported from Nov. 1 – Dec. 27, 2010 and the contaminated sprouts and other produce are believed to be coming from two different sources: Texas-based J&D Produce, Inc. and Illinois-based Tiny Greens Organic Farm.

According to a report by CNN:

“Health officials said those first cases became known November 1, with many getting ill after eating alfalfa sprouts in products from Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches outlets. The Food and Drug Administration said Monday that those vegetables came from Tiny Greens Organic Farm.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is working with Jimmy Johns to address the issue and recall any and all produce that might be contaminated. USA Today reported on the story and released an email between Jimmy Johns’ founder/CEO John Liautaud and a reporter:

"Our main supplier of sprouts had been tested last Friday and has come up negative. Our stores have all come up negative so far," wrote Liautaud.

The email went on to state:

"I am asking Illinois stores to pull sprouts until the state can give us some better direction. We are working closely with the state and they are doing a darn good job in helping find the source."

As well as:

“…No source has been found yet, this is a precautionary measure."

J&D Produce, Inc. recalled several of its Little Bear brand products in Canada and Detroit although no illnesses were reported there. Just to be safe, Canadian officials issued a health hazard alert to consumers Dec. 27.

That same day, the FDA advised consumers not to eat alfalfa sprouts that originated from Tiny Greens Organic Farm. The FDA warned against spicy sprouts, a mix of alfalfa sprouts with radish and clover sprouts—all of which were distributed to farmers markets, restaurants and grocery stores.

J&D Produce, Inc. issued another “precautionary, voluntary recall” Monday pertaining to cilantro and parsley packed between Nov. 30 and Dec. 6.

CNN reported:

“The company is also recalling 19 other types of produce that were run on the same packaging lines, because salmonella may have spread to those products as well.”

The Center for Disease Control said about 24 percent of those sickened in the salmonella outbreaks were hospitalized. At this time, no deaths have been linked to the outbreak.

Forty thousand salmonella cases are reported each year according to the CDC. The bacterial infection typically lasts four to seven days and patients usually develop fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Most people recover without seeking medical attention, but if you suspect you have eaten contaminated produce, the CDC recommends you see your doctor.

Parsley-cilantro recall expanded to include other vegetables
http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/12/29/salmonella.produce/?hpt=T2

Salmonella Warnings on Sprouts Issued
http://thepacker.com/Salmonella-warnings-on-sprouts-issued/Article.aspx?oid=1295031&fid=PACKER-TOP-STORIES&aid=2189

Don’t Eat Tiny Greens Brand Alfalfa Sprouts
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/sciencefair/post/2010/12/fda-dont-eat-tiny-greens-brand-alfalfa-sprouts/1

Health Benefits of Sprouts
http://www.living-foods.com/articles/sproutbenefits.html

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.