Alaska Campylobacter Outbreak Traced to Pea Farm
According to the Anchorage Daily News, a Campylobacter outbreak that has sickened 18 in Alaska has been traced back to Mat-Valley Peas in Palmer, Alaska. The 18 people became sick starting August 1 after eating raw peas. The pea farm sells the product in 5 and 10-pound bags with clear cooking instructions, which under most circumstances would have prevented the bacterial outbreak. Investigators, however, note that some retailers and sellers at farmers markets repackaged the peas from Mat-Valley and did not include the cooking instructions. Campylobacter often causes foodborne illness with symptoms of diarrhea, weakenss, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
