Alfalfa sprouts recalled in 3 states due to potential salmonella contamination

A Nebraska company is recalling alfalfa sprouts sold in three states over potential salmonella contamination as state health officials investigate a “group of gastrointestinal illnesses” caused by the bacteria.

SunSprout Enterprises, based in Fremont, Nebraska, announced Thursday it is voluntarily recalling four shipments of raw alfalfa sprouts.

The company said it distributed 1,406 pounds of produce between late November and mid-December to five food and grocery customers in Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa. The products were sold in 4 oz clamshells and 2.5 lb packs, and the best selling purchase dates were between December 10, 2022 and January 7, 2023.

The company said the recall was due to “excessive caution.”

As of Thursday, 16 people reported being sick, and all reported consuming SunSprout-brand alfalfa sprouts between Dec. 4 and Dec. 13, either at local restaurants or at home after shopping at local grocery stores, the Department of Health and Human Services said. state of Nebraska. Thursday.

Test results of eight of those people showed salmonella infection, while seven others are awaiting confirmation, the investigation department said in a statement.

SunSprout said it has not received any complaints or reports of illness due to the recalled product.

“This voluntary recall is the result of a preliminary investigation by the State of Nebraska into a CDC outbreak of a disease likely associated with alfalfa sprouts,” the company said.

SunSprout said it is continuing to investigate how the sprouts were “handled and stored after they left the Nebraska plant.”

Salmonella infection is a common bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract. This microorganism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the elderly, or people with weakened immune systems. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, healthy people infected with it typically experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

Most people with a salmonella infection recover within four to seven days without antibiotics, according to the Nebraska Department of Health.

State epidemiologist Dr. Matthew Donahue praised local and state health officials for quickly identifying the causes of illnesses.

“From the first people who reported the disease to state and local health departments, who conducted further investigation, to the sequencing done quickly at the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory, to the CDC and FDA national assistance, state and national collaboration has enabled us to narrow the circle on a suspicious product as quickly as we do. This is a great example of public health in action,” he said.