Sep. 5, 2008 at 9:59am
State health officials believe alfalfa sprouts are connected to an outbreak of Salmonella that's sickened nine people in the state and four in Oregon.
The outbreak has been tied to alfalfa sprouts from Sprouters Northwest in Kent. The company has agreed to recall the product and has stopped distributing it. The sprouts are sold in a variety of packages labeled as both alfalfa sprouts and as mixed varieties that contain alfalfa sprouts as an ingredient.
People should not eat any products from Sprouters Northwest that contain alfalfa sprouts. Discard them immediately or return them to the store. The first cases of Salmonella Typhimurium were reported in early August. People have been sickened in Clark, Island, King, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston and Whatcom counties. At least two have required hospitalization.
The recalled sprouts were distributed to grocery stores, and possibly other retail outlets in Washington and Oregon. The Department of Health urges restaurants and delicatessens to check their stock immediately and pull any of the recalled products. Retailers and wholesalers that have any of the recalled sprouts should separate them from other produce and contact their supplier.
Salmonellosis is a common infection; there are usually about 600 to 800 cases reported each year in the state. It can cause diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Symptoms usually develop within one to five days after eating contaminated food. Most people usually get better on their own.
Posted in BE Daily, Education, Health care, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, South King County, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve
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