Washington, DC – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) released the following statement today in response to the urgent recall of all alfalfa sprouts manufactured by J.H. Caldwell and Sons sold under three brand names: Caldwell Fresh Foods, Nature’s Choice, and California Exotics brand. Alfalfa sprouts from Caldwell have been linked to an outbreak of Salmonella
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Another Sprout Outbreak – Time to use www.outbreakdatabase.com
The Outbreak
CDC is collaborating with public health officials in many states and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella serotype Newport infections linked to the consumption of raw alfalfa sprouts. Investigators are using DNA analysis of Salmonella bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing to identify cases of illness that may be part of this outbreak.
On May 21, 2010, a total of 22 individuals infected with a matching strain of Salmonella Newport have been reported from 10 states since March 1, 2010. 11 people were sickened in California, two were sickened in Nevada and two were sickened in Wisconsin. Arizona, Oregon, Idaho, Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico and Colorado each had one person sickened, the CDC said. The illnesses began between March 1 and May 2 and six people were hospitalized.
Among those for whom information is available about when symptoms started, illnesses began between March 1, 2010 and May 2, 2010. Case-patients range in age from <1 to 57 years old, and the median age is 26 years. Fifty-five percent of patients are female. Among the 20 patients with available hospitalization information, 6 (30%) were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
The Recall
- This recall affects raw alfalfa sprouts packaged and labeled as: Caldwell Fresh Foods alfalfa sprouts – 4-ounce plastic cups and one pound plastic bags and in 2-pound and 5-pound plastic bags in cardboard boxes with sticker affixed with the printed words “Caldwell Fresh Foods”; Nature’s Choice alfalfa sprouts – 4-ounce plastic cups; California Exotics brands alfalfa sprouts – 5-ounce plastic clamshell containers. No other alfalfa sprouts are implicated in the outbreak.
- The recalled products have been linked to an outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections in consumers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
- The sprouts were distributed to a variety of restaurants, delicatessens and retailers, including Trader Joe’s and Wal-Mart stores.
Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. For a bit(e) of history of sprout outbreaks, both E. coli and Salmonella, see www.outbreakdatabase.com. Also, keep reading about a few too many past outbreaks:Continue Reading Another Sprout Outbreak – Time to use www.outbreakdatabase.com
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