CDC Issues Warning About Bean Sprouts Linked to Salmonella
Wonton Foods, Inc. has verbally agreed to voluntarily stop the production and sale of its bean sprouts. It is cooperating with public health and agriculture officials and has reported that its last shipment of bean sprouts was made on Nov.18.
CDC issued warnings to food retailers and consumers not to sell, serve, or consume bean sprouts produced by Wonton Foods, Inc., saying information available to date indicates its sprouts may be contaminated with Salmonella and are not safe to eat. A total of 63 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Enteritidis have been reported from 10 states as of Nov. 21, according to the agency, and 26 percent of people who are ill have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
Wonton Foods, Inc. has verbally agreed to voluntarily stop the production and sale of its bean sprouts. It is cooperating with public health and agriculture officials and has reported that its last shipment of bean sprouts was made on Nov.18. But no recall is in effect.
Interviews with those who are sick showed 29 of them (78 percent) reported that they ate bean sprouts or menu items containing them in the week before becoming ill, according to CDC.
CDC's announcement notes that sprouts are a known source of foodborne illness, and that children, older adults, pregnant women, and persons with weakened immune systems should avoid eating raw sprouts of any kind (including alfalfa, clover, radish, and mung bean sprouts).