Fear of Salmonella Contamination Causes Alfalfa Sprout Recall

A new report has just surfaced from the Department of Public Health in California stating that salmonella has been found in a recent batch of Kowalke Organics alfalfa sprouts. The report was made just days after the contaminated batch began selling at grocery stores across the southern portion of the state and possibly other parts of the state as well. The contaminated batch includes those alfalfa sprout packages with a sell-by date ranging anywhere between June 18th to June 30th. The packages include Kowalke alfalfa sprouts in all sizes, dinner salad in 6-ounce packages, and onion mix in 4-ounce packages.

It remains unclear how the salmonella found its way into these alfalfa sprouts. According to the company which manufactures Kowalke Organics foods, the packages contained no threat of salmonella or any other potentially fatal bacteria when they were delivered to their various destinations. They are convinced that the contamination must have occurred at some point after reaching the grocery stores.

The obvious problem with this theory is the likelihood that salmonella would contaminate the alfalfa products at more than one store at any given time. The packages were delivered to a variety of stores. However, it has not yet been determined how many of the packages actually do contain the salmonella bacteria. Tests were conducted by the company on a lot which was to be sold by June 21st. Only one package within that lot proved to have salmonella bacteria present. Tests are likely being conducted at this point to determine how many of the recalled packages also contain the bacteria. The company which manufactures these alfalfa products has been more than willing to support the recall by the Department of Health in California.

Another problem with the theory that the contamination took place in the individual stores is that alfalfa sprouts, among other plants, are typically contaminated with bacteria like salmonella while still a seed. It is not common that they are contaminated with these types of bacteria after they’ve sprouted and developed into their plantlike state. These contradictory circumstances are obviously raising concerns for California residents and the Department of Health because it is proving difficult to determine where and when the contamination occurred. It is obvious, however, that the Department of Health has taken quick, efficient measures to recall these tainted sprouts before any consumers are harmed.

There have been a number of different food recalls this year in the United States. One of the first occurred at the beginning of 2009 when approximately 700 people were hospitalized with Salmonellosis. Several of these people became fatal victims of the illness. The outbreak was a result of peanuts which had been contaminated with the virus. Most of these peanuts were digested in the form of peanut butter. Later in the year another outbreak occurred as the result of contaminated pistachios. As the FDA continues to encounter these types of outbreaks on a more regular basis, it is important that you know where you can turn for help in case you become the next victim. Los Angeles food poisoning law firms and Los Angeles Personal injury attorneys can help people everyday that have incurred injuries from contaminated and tainted products.

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