Central Oregonian

Nationwide recall made on alfalfa sprouts

Most Prineville grocery stores are not selling alfalfa sprouts at all

PHOTO COURTESY OF ODHS

Alfalfa sprouts produced by Caldwell Fresh Foods of Maywood, Calif. are being recalled.

Ramona McCallister

regon Public Health officials are warning consumers about a nationwide recall of alfalfa sprouts produced by Caldwell Fresh Foods of Maywood, Calif., and sold under several label names in Oregon.

Some of these are labeled and packaged as Caldwell Fresh Foods, Nature’s Choice and California Exotics brands.

The sprouts are being sold in at least 17 other states in the West, Midwest and the South. The sprouts have been identified as the source of an outbreak of salmonellosis. All Caldwell-produced alfalfa sprout products are covered in the recall.

In Oregon, the recalled sprouts were sold at Trader Joe’s, Walmart, and possibly other locations, including restaurants and delicatessens.

In Prineville, most grocery outlet stores are not selling alfalfa sprouts at all. Ray’s Food Place, Erickson’s Thriftway, and Wagner’s Price Slasher, have all affirmed that they do not sell or carry alfalfa sprouts—not in the brand under suspicion, or any other brand.

“There’s always a recall, and it’s just not worth the liability,” said Ray’s Food Place Produce Manager, Jim Hipp.

Many produce managers have said that they sell clover sprouts instead, because they last longer, and there have been no problems with recalls.

Both the Sandwich Factory and Subway, in Prineville, have confirmed that they do not use alfalfa sprouts in their menu items.

To date, 23 people from 10 states, including one Multnomah County infant, have been identified with a matching strain of the Salmonellosis Bacteria. At least four of these people, including the Oregon child, were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

“Once again, alfalfa sprouts have been identified as the cause of an outbreak of salmonellosis,” said William E. Keene, PhD, MPH, a senior epidemiologist at Oregon Public Health. “Consumers who have sprouts at home should check to see if they have the recalled brands, and if so should discard them immediately. Retailers should immediately check their stocks and pull any Caldwell products.”

Salmonellosis is an acute bacterial infection that can cause diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Symptoms usually develop within one to five days after eating contaminated food. Most cases resolve without the need for medical attention, and antibiotics are not advised for people with uncomplicated illness. People who have eaten sprouts and developed severe symptoms should discuss this exposure with a health care provider. Some people with salmonellosis develop serious illness that can lead to hospitalization and even death, according to Keene.

Raw sprouts have been repeatedly identified as the cause of outbreaks of salmonellosis, E. coli O157:H7 infections, and other diseases. This is the 12th sprout-caused outbreak that has sickened Oregonians since 1995.

“Anyone concerned about a food-borne disease should consider this before eating sprouts. The risk of severe illness is particularly high among the elderly, those with immunocompromised and the very young.” Keene said.