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Recall: Alfalfa Sprouts Now a Culprit of Salmonella

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By: Ryan Luby--NBC
Updated: Wed 9:29 AM, Mar 04, 2009

Just as the danger of tainted peanut butter has finally subsided, another salmonella outbreak -- but this time Nebraska health officials say alfalfa sprouts are the culprit.

Ryan Luby has the story.

A health food... That is now suspected of making dozens of people sick. Alfalfa sprouts packaged under the 'Sun Sprouts' label may contain salmonella.

I think it's important consumers know we have an issue. We think it's very local. We think it's somewhat controlled but we don't know.)

Nebraska's chief medical officer says the company that makes the sprouts... C-W sprouts in southwest Omaha is cooperating and has already issued a voluntary recall.

The FDA is doing an investigation at the company to determine conditions that may have lead to the contamination as well as determining the distribution of the product.

Already a number of local grocery stores have pulled the sun sprouts alfalfa from their shelves.

Health officials say some of the people who got sick ate the sprouts at local restaurants. Infants and elderly and those with compromised immune systems like those undergoing chemotherapy are those likely to become seriously ill.

Health officials say salmonella usually works it way into the sprouts during the growing process. So there's not much that can be done to make it safe once it's contaminated.

There's no amount of washing that one can do to clean them off.
Still some we talked to say they not scared of eating something they feel is so good for them.

They say if you know how to handle and prepare them, you'll be fine.

You can tell by the smell and the feel. Once they start to get slimy or start to smell funky, then I won't touch them. Personally, I don't lose a lot of sleep over it otherwise."


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