Wisconsin-based Jack and the Green Sprouts, Inc. has pulled packages of its alfalfa and alfalfa onion sprouts from shelves over concerns that the products may have been contaminated with listeria.
According to an announcement released Friday by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the recalled alfalfa sprouts were sold in 5-ounce plastic containers and marked with lot number 300 UPC 763247198915 or lot number 246 UPC 763247195945 on the top of the packaging.
The items were sold at local grocery stores and co-ops in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. No recall-related illnesses have been reported to date.
“The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the company revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in 5-ounce packages of alfalfa sprouts,” the company statement said. “Production of the product has been suspended while the company continues to investigate the source of the problem.”
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Consumers who purchased the recalled items are asked to throw them away or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Questions regarding the recall can be directed to Jack and the Green Sprouts at 715-425-9495, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central Standard Time, Monday through Friday.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), listeria infections often impact a person’s gut and can cause symptoms of food poisoning, including diarrhea and vomiting. The bacteria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illnesses in the United States, leading to approximately 1,600 infections and 260 deaths per year.
Symptoms of a Listeria infection usually take three to four weeks to appear, although signs of an infection can sometimes appear within the first week of exposure. Listeria infections can be especially serious for pregnant women, people over 65, and people with weakened immune systems, according to the CDC.
News week contacted Jack and the Green Sprouts via email for additional information Friday evening.
Since July, at least 10 people have died and dozens more have been hospitalized due to a listeria outbreak linked to wild boar liver sausage. The CDC said in an update on the outbreak last month that the “actual number of sick people” is likely higher than what has been recorded, given that many can recover from listeria without medical care.
Boar’s Head responded by indefinitely suspending its liverwurst production and closing its Jarratt, Virginia, plant at the heart of the outbreak. In a September 13 update, the company said the listeria outbreak is “a dark moment in our company’s history, but we intend to use this as an opportunity to improve food safety programs not only for our company, but for the entire industry. “
