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Salmonellosis Outbreak Associated with Raw Mung Bean Sprouts
SproutNet
April 25, 2000
California Department of
Health Services Press Release, April 19, 2000
SACRAMENTO --
State Health Director Diana Bonta, R.N., Dr. P.H., today warned consumers not to
eat Pacific Coast Sprout Farms brand raw mung bean sprouts purchased before
April 18 because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella, a bacteria
that causes human illness. Forty-five cases of Salmonella Enteritidis, a
foodborne illness, have been confirmed in Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties.
The California Department of Health Services (DHS)
and the
Sacramento and Placer county health departments have linked this outbreak to
mung bean sprout consumption. The illnesses have occurred since March 26 and
include 38 cases in Sacramento County, four in Placer County and three in Yolo
County. While most of the patients suffered diarrhea and cramping, two
immunocompromised patients were hospitalized with bloodstream infections.
The manufacturer, located in
Sacramento, has
voluntarily recalled the bean sprouts, which were distributed to restaurants and
grocery stores in Northern California and Reno area in 12 ounce and 16 ounce
plastic bags and in bulk.
Bontá advised consumers who purchased raw bean
sprouts with the label "Pacific Coast Sprout Farms" or raw mung bean sprouts
from this manufacturer sold in bulk from supermarkets in
Sacramento, Placer and
Yolo counties prior to April 18 to discard or return them to the place of
purchase.
This is the first reported outbreak of salmonellosis
associated with raw mung bean sprouts in the
United States. Previous
outbreaks have been associated with raw alfalfa and clover sprouts.
Salmonellosis is an acute bacterial infection
commonly characterized by diarrhea and fever. Symptoms usually develop within
one to four days after eating contaminated food. Most ill individuals recover
without the need for medical attention.
Some individuals with salmonellosis develop serious
illness that can lead to hospitalization and even death. People who have eaten
sprouts and develop symptoms should contact their doctor.
DHS and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
previously have issued consumer advisories regarding the potential risks
associated with eating alfalfa and clover sprouts. Children, the elderly and
individuals with weakened immune systems should not eat any raw sprouts.
Healthy individuals
also can become ill from raw sprouts.
DHS officials emphasized that raw sprouts should not
be served in day care centers, school lunch programs, nursing homes and
hospitals.
Raw sprouts present unique food safety problems
because: The warm, humid conditions needed to grow sprouts also are ideal for
the rapid growth of harmful bacteria.
With the exception of bean sprouts, sprouts generally are eaten raw with no
additional treatment, such as cooking, which would eliminate harmful bacteria.
Washing may reduce the bacterial load. However, it does not eliminate the
harmful bacteria that may be present. People may unknowingly eat sprouts in
sandwiches and salads purchased at restaurants and delicatessens.
Bontá advised consumers who wish to generally reduce their risk of foodborne
illness to specifically request that raw sprouts not be added to their food
purchased at restaurants, delicatessens and other eating establishments.
Sprouts grown in the home also present a risk if
eaten raw. Bontá also reminded consumers that harmful bacterial contamination
may not change the appearance, texture or taste of any food product.
FDA also has issued guidelines for the sprout
industry on recommended sprout production practices designed to reduce the risk
of bacterial contamination.
Consumers with questions about the recall may phone
Pacific Coast Sprout Farms at 916/381-6054
PRODUCT
CODE
MANUFACTURER
RECALLED BY
-
Manufacturer,
by letter, visit, fax, telephone, e-mail, television and radio announcements
beginning on April 18, 2000. A news release was issued by California
Department of Health Services (CDHS) dated April 19, 2000, and subsequent
press releases by the firm to Oregon and Nevada.
-
Firm-initiated
recall complete.
DISTRIBUTION
QUANTITY
REASON
Contaminated Food Makes Millions
Ill Despite Advances
By GREG WINTER
March 18, 2001
997. As a result,
the F.D.A. inspects less than 1 percent of all imported foods, according to the
General Accounting Office. It is all but inevitable, health officials say, that
at least some of those imports will be contaminated. Last April, a
California bean sprout grower, Pacific Coast Sprout
Farms, shipped in seeds from
China and
Australia. Germinated in warehouse- sized shelters, the sprouts caused a
salmonella outbreak from Oregon to Massachusetts. At least 67 people fell
ill, 17 of whom sought treatment in hospitals.
Not only were the
imported seeds contaminated, health officials say, but the company grew them
using only a tenth of the amount of cleansing agent recommended by the F.D.A.
And although the company found evidence of contamination before sending the
sprouts to market, it did not order a recall until after an outbreak had spread.
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