On Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:19:43 +0000 (UTC), Liberal Clown Show
wrote:

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW02001.html

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2009
Media Inquiries:
Michael Herndon, 301-796-4673
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA



RAW ALFALFA SPROUTS LINKED TO SALMONELLA CONTAMINATION
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) today recommended that consumers not eat raw
alfalfa sprouts, including sprout blends containing alfalfa sprouts, until
further notice because the product has been linked to Salmonella serotype
Saintpaul contamination. Other types of sprouts have not been implicated
at this time.

The investigation indicates that the problem may be linked to
contamination of seeds for alfalfa sprouts. Because suspect lots of seeds
may be sold around the country and may account for a large proportion of
the alfalfa seeds currently being used by sprout growers, and cases of
illness are spread across multiple states, FDA and CDC are issuing this
general advisory.

FDA will work with the alfalfa sprout industry to help identify which
seeds and alfalfa sprouts are not connected with this contamination, so
that this advisory can be changed as quickly as possible.

CDC, FDA and six State and local authorities have associated this outbreak
with eating raw alfalfa sprouts. Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South
Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia have reported 31 cases of illness with the
outbreak strain of Salmonella Saintpaul to CDC. Most of those who became
ill reported eating raw alfalfa sprouts. Some reported eating raw sprouts
at restaurants; others reported purchasing the raw sprouts at the retail
level.

The illnesses began in mid-March. Cases are still being reported, and
possible cases are in various stages of laboratory testing, so illnesses
may appear in other states. No deaths have been reported. The number of
infected people may be higher than currently reported because some
illnesses have not yet been confirmed with laboratory testing.

The CDC and FDA recommend at all times that persons at high risk for
complications, such as the elderly, young children, and those with
compromised immune systems, not eat raw sprouts because of the risk of
contamination with Salmonella or other bacteria. Salmonella is an
organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young
children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune
systems. Healthy individuals infected with Salmonella often experience
fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal
pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the
organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses,
such as meningitis and bone infections.

Initial investigation results trace the contaminated raw alfalfa sprouts
to multiple sprout growers in multiple states. This suggests a potential
problem with the seeds used, as well as the possible failure of the sprout
growers involved to appropriately and consistently follow the FDA Sprout
Guidance issued in 1999 http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/sprougd1.html. The
guidance recommends an effective seed disinfection treatment immediately
before the start of sprouting (such as treating seed in 20,000 parts per
million Calcium hypochlorite solution with agitation for 15 minutes) and
regularly testing the water used for every batch of sprouts for Salmonella
and E coli O157:H7 contamination.

This outbreak appears to be an extension of an earlier outbreak in 2009.
In February and March, an outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul infections
occurred in Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, and Minnesota. This
outbreak was linked to raw alfalfa sprouts, and the outbreak strain was
indistinguishable from that of these recently reported cases. A separate
outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections was also linked to sprouts
in 2009. In the 1990s, a number of outbreaks related to sprouts led FDA to
issue its guidance. Experience over the past decade has shown that the
likelihood of Salmonella in sprouts can be minimized when recommendations
from FDA’s Sprout Guidance are followed.

Preventive controls are very important in the growing of all raw sprouts.
FDA reminds sprout growers to be vigilant in their food safety practices
and strongly encourages sprout growers to follow the Agency’s Sprout
Guidance. Additionally, the United Fresh Produce Association has advised
all of its members to follow FDA’s guidance on sprouts. FDA appreciates
that the produce industry has reinforced this message and reminds
retailers that it is prudent to sell sprouts from growers who follow FDA's
recommendations.

For persons who continue to eat sprouts, visit (U.S. Food and Drug
Administration, 2002 consumer advisory, available at
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/tpsprout.html).

For more information on food safety, visit www.fda.gov .

Sealing the border and deportation of all illegal aliens is needed.

ted