FDA reports salmonella outbreak linked to broccoli sprouts

FDA reports salmonella outbreak linked to broccoli sprouts The outbreak does not appear to be related to others tied to alfalfa sprouts, the agency said - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments A multi-state outbreak of salmonella that sickened 22 people has been tied to contaminated broccoli sprouts, federal regulators said Friday. The now-recalled sprouts were sold to restaurants, co-ops, restaurants, grocery stores and food service customers in Washington, Idaho, Montana and Utah, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. No one who has eaten the sprouts has died, but two people in Washington have been hospitalized and the agency said that the affected products may have been shipped to other states. The veggies were distributed by Idaho’s Evergreen Fresh Sprouts LLC. The company also recalled alfalfa sprouts earlier this year following separate outbreaks of salmonella and E. coli in alfalfa sprouts. This outbreak does not appear to be related to the others, the FDA wrote. Evergreen Fresh Sprouts could not immediately be reached for comment on Friday. The recall affects broccoli sprouts sold in plastic bags or clam shell containers with expiration dates of 9/7, 9/9, 9/11, 9/14, and 9/16. People who believe they may have these products in their homes should throw them away or return them and wash items or surfaces the sprouts may have touched using hot soapy water or a dishwasher. And people should call a healthcare provider immediately if they experience any symptoms of salmonella. Symptoms may include diarrhea for more than two days without improvements, a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.8 degrees Celsius), bloody diarrhea, vomiting to the point people can’t keep liquids down and dehydration. These can begin up to six days after people swallow bacteria, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns. Most people recover on their own after a week, and infections are typically treated with fluids and antibiotics. Older adults over age 65, young children and people with weakened immune systems may experience more severe illness than others. There are eight active outbreaks of salmonella, an FDA webpage shows, including those involving the Evergreen Fresh Sprouts LLC recalls. Other foodborne salmonella outbreaks this year have been tied to jalapeños, eggs and oysters. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments