More Alfalfa Sprouts Recalled, Listeria Blamed

WASHINGTONCleveland Beansprouts Co., headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is recalling all packages of alfalfa sprouts because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today. Last month, organic alfalfa sprouts were recalled in six states because of the possibility of Salmonella contamination.

The recalled alfalfa sprouts were distributed in Ohio and no not have any lot codes or any other identifier on the product. The contamination was discovered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture while collecting and testing samples under the USDAs Microbiological Data Program.

Last year, alfalfa sprouts are linked to 20 reported cases, including one hospitalization, of Salmonella Enteritidis in Idaho, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota and Washington State. There have been at least 30 outbreaks associated with raw or lightly cooked sprouts in the United States in the last 15 years.