Salmonella Alfalfa Sprouts a Chronic Probelm
One years ago the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was warning the public about a Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak linked to raw alfalfa sprouts that sickened 235 people in 14 states, including at least seven who were hospitalized.
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In that outbreak, investigators believed growers' seeds were contaminated, causing a widespread problem. The Salmonella situation with sprouts is chronic and repeated outbreaks have prompted health officials to perpetually warn that they not be eaten by small children, the elderly or others with compromised immune systems.
Yesterday the FDA announced the latest outbreak -- a strain of Salmonella Newport in sprouts that has infected at least 22 people in 10 states between March 1 and May 20. Infections have been confirmed in Arizona (1), California (11), Colorado (1), Idaho (1), Illinois (1), Missouri (1), New Mexico (1), Nevada (2), Oregon (1), and Wisconsin (2).
Six of those sickened have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported. The Oregon victim of this outbreak is an infant.
The raw sprouts Salmonella outbreak has been associated with Caldwell Fresh Foods of Maywood, Calif. The company is recalling all of its alfalfa sprouts marketed under the Caldwell Fresh Foods, Nature’s Choice, and California Exotics brands.
The sprouts were distributed to Trader Joe's and Wal-Mart stores, other retailers and a variety of restaurants and delicatessens.
In Oregon, where the current Caldwell Salmonella sprouts outbreak was first announced, state epidemiologist Dr. William E. Keene, says there have been 12 outbreaks related to raw sprouts since 1995.
By the count of Dr. Douglas Powell, associate professor of food safety at Kansas State University, there have been at least 38 sprout-related outbreaks since 1990 in the U.S. and Canada.
Most Salmonella infections cause diarrhea, fever and stomach pain that are overcome without medical care, but the pathogen is not to be taken lightly and can be life-threatening in individuals who have weakened immune capability.
In almost every large outbreak of Salmonella there are instances of Reiter's Syndrome developing from infection. Reiter's Syndrome also is known as reactive arthritis and it causes joint pain and also can lead to serious heart problems. People with Reiter's Syndrome often report having painful urination.
If you have been sickened after eating alfalfa sprouts, you may have a claim for compensation against the grower, processors, retailers, distributors, a restaurant or other eating establishment.
For answers to such legal questions, contact a Salmonella lawyer at Pritzker Olsen by calling 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or by completing the contact form on the side of this Web page.
