P99-13 FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Judith Foulke: 202-205-4144 July 9, 1999 Consumer Inquiries: 800-532-4440
Because of reports of increasing numbers of illnesses associated with consumption of raw sprouts, the Food and Drug Administration is advising all persons to be aware of the risks associated with eating raw sprouts (e.g., alfalfa, clover, radish). Outbreaks have included persons of both genders and all age categories. Those persons who wish to reduce the risk of foodborne illness from sprouts are advised not to eat raw sprouts.
This advice is particularly important for children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems, all of whom are at high risk of developing serious illness due to foodborne disease. People in high risk categories should not eat raw sprouts.
This advisory is updated from a previous health advisory issued August 31, 1998, and is based on additional information from clover and alfalfa sprout-associated salmonellosis outbreaks from January through May 1999. Two outbreaks were associated with clover sprouts: one occurred in California in May and involved approximately 30 cases; a second outbreak in Colorado from March through May involved approximately 70 cases. In addition, from January through March an outbreak of salmonellosis affecting approximately 85 people occurred in Oregon, Washington, and California and was associated with the consumption of alfalfa sprouts
Since 1995, raw sprouts have emerged as a recognized source of foodborne illness in the United States. These illnesses have involved the pathogenic bacteria Salmonella and E. coli O157. Alfalfa and clover sprouts have been involved most often, but all raw sprouts may pose a risk.
The sprout industry has been working in cooperation with government, academia, and other industry segments to enhance the safety of its product. These efforts have focused primarily on seed treatment strategies, good manufacturing practices, and sanitation.
"Despite all these efforts to make raw sprouts safer, we continue to receive reports of illnesses associated with raw sprouts. Consumers need to understand that, at this time, the best way to control this risk is not to eat raw sprouts," said Jane E. Henney, MD, FDA Commissioner.
Although infections with Salmonella and E. coli O157 can cause serious illness, the illness is generally self-limiting in most healthy adults. However, an E.coli O157 infection can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome with resultant kidney failure or death in children, and equally serious complications in the elderly. Salmonella infections can cause serious illness in children, the elderly and the immune compromised. Healthy persons infected with these bacteria experience diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramping and fever for several days.
FDA offers the following advice to all consumers concerning sprouts:
FDA will closely monitor the safety of sprouts and will take further actions, including the establishment of preventive controls, as necessary to protect consumers.
Consumers who have eaten raw sprouts and are experiencing diarrhea or other symptoms of foodborne infections are advised to consult their health care providers.
For further information, see "Fact Sheet for Sprouts Advisory" below.
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FDA ON THE INTERNET: www.fda.gov
The Food and Drug Administration has issued an updated health advisory to make all persons aware of the risks associated with the consumption of raw sprouts (e.g. alfalfa, clover, radish). A previous advisory on this subject was issued August 31, 1998. FDA advises that persons who wish to reduce the risk of foodborne illness should not eat or consume raw sprouts. The advice against consumption is particularly important for persons at high risk of developing serious illness due to foodborne disease (i.e., children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems).
Recent outbreaks include:
FDA has planned immediate preventive measures as follows:
FDA will closely monitor the safety of sprouts and will take further actions, including preventive controls, as necessary to protect consumers.
This is a mirror of the page at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/NEW00684.html