Health Hazard Alert

HealthHazard Alert

AlfalfaSprouts May Contain Klebsiella Pneumoniae Bacteria

CanadaFood inspection Agency

Ottawa,July 14, 1999

TheCanadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consumeLiving Foods and Sprouts Alive brand alfalfa sprouts with the lot numberEX/07/13 because they may contain Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria.

Thesprouts are grown by Living Foods of Camrose, Alta. The sprouts are sold in 140g packages and food service bags and may have been distributed in BritishColumbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Klebsiellapneumoniae may cause gastrointestinal illness in humans. The illness may becharacterized by prolonged flu-like symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, fever,stomach cramps and watery diarrhea. Young children, the elderly, and people withweakened immune systems are particularly at risk.

Therehave been no reported illnesses from eating this product.

Consumerswho have concerns about this product should discard it or return it to theirpoint of purchase.

Formore information, media please contact:

JeanKamanzi
Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa
Telephone: (613) 225-2342, ext. 4774
After hours (pager): (613) 760-0568