A Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts from Nebraska-based SunSprout Enterprises has so far sickened 15 people in three states, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a Dec 30 announcement.
Illness-onset dates range from Dec 2 to Dec 13. Patient ages range from 19 to 78 years old, and, of 14 people with available information, 2 were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Affected states are Nebraska (8 cases), South Dakota (6), and Oklahoma (1).
Interviews with sick people found that all 12 had eaten alfalfa sprouts before their symptoms began. Genetic data from the CDC's PulseNet system show that the bacteria from the sick people were closely related, suggesting that they got sick from the same source.
Trace-back information from the Food and Drug Administration suggests that restaurants and grocery stores involved in the outbreak received their sprouts from SunSprout Enterprises. Two patients also confirmed that they bought SunSprouts brand alfalfa sprouts from their local grocery stores.
On Dec 29, the company recalled four lots of its raw sprouts, which were distributed in Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa. The products were sold in clear, plastic clam shell containers and in 2.5-pound packages. The best-by dates range from Dec 10, 2022, to Jan 7, 2023.
The CDC urged consumers to throw away or return the recalled sprouts and to wash surfaces that may have touched the recalled product.
Raw and undercooked sprouts are a known source of foodborne illnesses and outbreaks, and the CDC urges consumers, restaurants, and other retailers to follow safe food practices to prevent illnesses.