An alfalfa sprout Salmonella outbreak in Canada has triggered the recall of Sprouts Alive and Sunsprout alfalfa sprouts. This recall is an update to a recall issued on August 11, 2020, for Sunsprout brand alfalfa and radish sprouts. None of these products, which were distributed in Ontario, should be consumed as Salmonella can cause serious illness.
Public Health Ontario is investigating the outbreak. At this time, the number of illnesses has not been made public.
In the U.S., public health agencies maintain that raw spouts pose an inherent risk because the warm, humid conditions required to grow them is also ideal for bacterial growth. Once bacteria, such as E. coli, Listeria and Salmonella, is introduced into a sprouting environment – from contaminated seeds, water, or through direct contact with fecal matter, it can grow rapidly.
Major retailers such as Kroger, Walmart and Costco don’t sell them. Jimmy John’s restaurants served sprouts on their sandwiches as was linked to a number of sprout outbreaks. After the most recent one earlier this year, the sandwich shop company received a warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and removed them from the menu.
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