Officials from the Food and Drug Administration believe sprouts from northern Idaho are the likely cause of a recent outbreak of salmonellosis. So far, 20 cases have been reported in Idaho, Washington, Montana, North Dakota, and New Jersey. The FDA warns not to eat alfalfa or spicy sprouts labeled “Evergreen Produce” or “Evergreen Produce Inc.” Evergreen Produce has not yet recalled the sprouts but has stopped producing and distributing them. The bacteria Salmonella can cause an infection in humans known as salmonellosis. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, starting 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and often resolves without treatment. Some severe cases require hospitalization; persons especially at risk of severe symptoms are infants, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. To prevent salmonellosis, practice food safety hygiene and avoid recalled produce. Though this outbreak is not related to the recent E. coli outbreak in Europe that has killed 48 people and sickened 4,000 others, sprouts are at the heart of both. Raw sprouts frequently are linked to foodborne illness because they are grown in moist, warm conditions favored by certain bacteria.
