TRADER JOES RECALL: Alfalfa Sprouts.

[Maddy McCall]

March 2 2008 - It has been confirmed that Trader Joe's are recalling plastic containers of sprouts due to them possibly being contaminated with salmonella bacteria. The recall was announced 1 day after sprout growers reported that bulk shipments of sprouts maybe contaminated.

The company, based in California has stated that they have not received any reports of people becoming sick from eating the contaminated vegetable.

The product is "Nature's Choice Alfalfa Sprouts" sold in tubs at Trader Joe's stores in California and five other western states, and has expiration dates of March 9 or earlier.

The sprouts were packed into their plastic containers by J.H. Caldwell and Sons warehouse in Maywood, L.A.

Consumers are being urged not to eat any of the effected product and to throw it away.

The recalled product codes are 202182, 202192, 202202, 202212, 202222, 202232, 202242, 202252, 202262 and 202272. The code is printed on the side of the containers and on the back of the plastic bag.


http://www.dogflu.ca/03022008/17/california_company_recalling_sprouts_over_fear_of_salmonella_bacteria

[Horse with no Name]

1. When I was young I worked for a produce farm

and we grew alfalfa sprouts in hydroponic units.
Part of the process is soaking the sprout seeds in bleach...you'd think that would kill the salmonella.

[fed-up]

2. kicking/rec because ALL recall threads should make it to the greatest nt

[fed-up]

3. SF Chron says people have reported getting sick-also additional product on recall

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/03/BATGVCFDE.DTL


Some alfalfa sprouts recalled due to Salmonella bacteria
Monday, March 3, 2008

(03-02) 20:18 PST San Francisco -- The California Department of Public Health on Sunday warned consumers not to eat certain brands of alfalfa sprouts because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Several illnesses have been reported across the state, including one in Contra Costa County and two in San Francisco. Two manufacturers voluntarily recalled their products from grocery stories and wholesale distributors, officials said.

Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever and vomiting. The public health department said those who believe they are ill should refrigerate the remains of the sprouts and contact Environmental Health Services at [phone].

The recalled products include:

- Salad Cosmo Alfalfa Sprouts, sold by Salad Cosmo USA Corp. in 2.5-ounce containers with white and green labels, and in clear 1-pound bags with blue labeling. Product codes on these containers are 0219, 0220, 0221, 0222, 0223, 0224, 0226, 0227, 0228, 0229, 0302 and 0303.

- Always Fresh and Alfa One Alfalfa Sprouts, produced by J.H. Caldwell and Sons, Inc. in 4-ounce and 5-ounce containers. Product codes on these containers are 202182, 202192, 202212, 202222, 202232, 202252, 202262 and 202272.

[SpiralHawk]

4. "Golly Gee!" - Alfalfa

[Maddy McCall]

5. Kick for my DU friends.

[lame54]

6. TJ's is good about things like this...

They have a very high standard of quality control
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE8cVV6NGxM

[IronLionZion]

7. Shit, I have some TJ sprouts at home.

I eat a lot of raw vegetables so this stuff always worries me a lot.

I had some today in my sandwich but didn't get sick.

[depakid]

8. NO ONE should be eating alfalfa sprouts

They're far too easily contaminated (and have been implicated often in the past).

There's no kill step along the way- and far too many opportunities for them to be contaminated, from seed to market.

[riverdeep]

9. Sprouts have been a problem for a long time.

Ironic since they are considered a 'health food'. Personally, I avoid them altogether.

Since 1996, raw or slightly cooked sprouts have caused an estimated 1,636 cases of illness, or 40 percent of all food- borne illness associated with produce, according to the FDA. Though the number of cases has dropped substantially since 1999 due to stepped-up decontamination attempts by the industry, federal regulators say the current push is necessary because sprouts--a favorite among health-food enthusiasts--still pose a measure of risk to consumers.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EUY/is_22_11/ai_n14714011