Raw alfalfa sprouts linked to new salmonella outbreak

[depakid]

Source: The Oregonian

Don't eat all your greens right now: Raw alfalfa sprouts could make you sick.

Sprouts have been linked to a new outbreak of salmonella infections, prompting federal officials to warn consumers to avoid them right now until scientists can pinpoint the problem. They suspect contaminated seeds that were not properly treated by growers lie at the heart of the outbreak. Health authorities have confirmed 31 illnesses linked to alfalfa sprouts in six states -- Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah and West Virginia. No one has died.

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Many of those sickened ate raw alfalfa sprouts in restaurants or said they bought sprouts in stores and prepared them at home.

The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the sprouts were linked to multiple growers in several states, leading authorities to suspect the seeds are causing the outbreak. Seeds need to be disinfected to kill the bacteria. Federal officials said this outbreak is an extension of a previous one in February and March in Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas and Minnesota. Sprouts have also been linked to Listeria monodytogenes infections this year. Illnesses linked to sprouts in the 1990s lead the government to issue http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/tpsprout.html">this advisory.

Read more: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/04/raw_alfalfa_sprouts_linked_to.html

[rcrush]

1. I think the earth is trying to kill us off.

[bobbolink]

3. The "EARTH" is an innocent bystander. This is all self-inflicted.

[hedgehog]

2. Salmonella is SOOOO last week!

[Kookaburra]

4. Alfalfa sprouts are easy enough to grow yourself

Just need a sprouter jar. If you love them, get some seeds and sprout them yourself. It's much less expensive as well. Plus, you know who has been handling them.

[HopeHoops]

5. Yeah - if I want Salmonella in my sprouts I'll put my OWN Salmonella in my sprouts!

Then at least I know it is the good stuff.

[depakid]

7. With sprouts, there's no way to keep it out

unless you plant your own alfalfa and harvest your own seed.

There's no kill step anywhere in the process from producer to consumer that can deal with slamonella (which may even begin with the seeds).

Best advice: don't eat the nasty little things, and be wary of cross contamination at salad bars and such.

[Duer 157099]

6. Except they say it's the seeds themselves that are the problem

I also sprout my own, but people need to remember to treat the seeds with something (hydrogen peroxide is what I use) before sprouting them.

[Stellabella]

8. You know, if it wasn't for Twinkies, we'd all be dead.

Classic Calvin and Hobbes line, which I personally think is very true.

[Bette Noir]

9. I knew there was a reason I don't like alfalfa sprouts.

[slackmaster]

10. That settles it - I'll be having a hamburger for dinner tonight

Pickles, tomato, lettuce, mustard and ketchup. Hold the sprouts.

[No Elephants]

11. This is why I live on Lays Kettle Chilps. Nothing but taters, fat and chemicals.