MONDAY, May 24 (HealthDay News) -- Caldwell Fresh Foods has issued a recall of raw alfalfa sprouts due to a Salmonella Newport outbreak in 10 states, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The recall involves alfalfa sprouts distributed by Caldwell Fresh Foods, and packaged and labeled as Caldwell Fresh Foods alfalfa sprouts (4 oz plastic cups and 1 lb plastic bags, and in 2 lb and 5 lb plastic bags in cardboard boxes), Nature's Choice alfalfa sprouts (4 oz plastic cups), and California Exotics brands alfalfa sprouts (5 oz plastic clamshell containers). The recalled alfalfa sprouts have been distributed to a variety of restaurants, delicatessens and retailers, including Trader Joe's and Wal-Mart. No other brands of alfalfa sprouts have been implicated in the outbreak.
Bacterial infections involving Salmonella Newport can lead to serious adverse events and even mortality in some cases involving young children, elderly adults, and those with compromised immune systems. A total of 22 cases of Salmonella Newport infections have been confirmed in Arizona (one case), California (11), Colorado (one), Idaho (one), Illinois (one), Missouri (one), New Mexico (one), Nevada (two), Oregon (one) and Wisconsin (two). While no deaths have been reported, six of the cases involved hospitalization.
"All consumers and restaurant/delicatessen operators should immediately stop using Caldwell Fresh Foods raw alfalfa sprouts. FDA reminds consumers that children, the elderly, pregnant women and persons with weakened immune systems should avoid eating raw sprouts of any kind (including alfalfa, clover, radish and mung bean sprouts)," according to the agency's news release.
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