ANOTHER CASE OF CONTAMINATED ALFALFA

Of all the foods you should maybe give up, surely alfalfa sprouts (or other sprouted seeds) are one of the easiest. (I would have a much harder time giving up chocolate, for instance). Yes, when they are not contaminated with disease-causing bacteria, they may be nutritionally beneficial. But the trouble is, that the downside may well outweigh such benefits.

Here's yet another recall of alfalfa sprouts. Leasa Industries Co., Inc. of Miami, Florida, is recalling 433 cases of LEASA Living Alfalfa Sprouts with use by date 7/2/12, because Salmonella bacteria have been found. The affected product is in 6 oz. clear plastic containers. Winn Dixie is among the stores that sells them.

And in case you think Salmonella just means a few miserable days of diarrhea and vomiting, stomach cramps and such, let me quote from the recall notice (more details on this in The Safe Food Handbook):

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.... In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.


To your good health,
TSF

WINN-DIXIE ISSUES EXPANDED SPROUT RECALL

Yesterday I blogged the recall of LEASA brand alfalfa sprouts by the company because Salmonella bacteria were found in the product. As sometimes happens, the retail stores that have received such potentially contaminated products, also issue their own recalls.

Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.,was one of the supermarket chains which sells LEASA sprout products in several states in the U.S. It has decided to take extra precautions. Not only is it recalling any alfalfa sprouts from LEASA, but other sprouted products as well - just in case. That is probably a sensible measure in case it turns out that contamination is found at the LEASA plant rather than just in alfalfa seeds.

The following LEASA-branded sprouts are being recalled and also being pulled from shelves in all stores, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana:

LEASA Living Alfalfa Sprouts UPC code 7546555912 6 oz
LEASA Broccoli Sprouts UPC code 7546555636 4 oz
LEASA Gourmet Sprouts UPC code 7546555633 6 oz
LEASA Spicy Sprouts UPC code 7546555635 6 oz
LEASA Onion Sprouts UPC code 7546555634 6 oz

It is quite possible that other retail stores which received LEASA products will follow Winn-Dixie's example in the next few days. The geographic area of the recall may also expand, as it often does. So, be prepared, and stop eating any LEASA sprouted seeds now, until we get more information. And - read my earlier blogs on the sprouts/sprouted seed issue.

To your good health,

TSF