Alfalfa sprouts to blame for major salmonella outbreak
Seven people have been hospitalised after a outbreak of salmonella linked to alfalfa sprouts caused a widespread product recall.
There have been 21 people struck down this month after eating South Australian produced sprouts.
Bins are filled to the brim at the SA Sprouts factory at Mile End, with the company’s own products.
The salmonella outbreak has sparked a widespread recall, with South Australians urged to throw out their alfalfa products.
“Today we had absolute confirmation that their alfalfa sprouts are contaminated with salmonella Havana,” Professor Paddy Phillips of SA Health told 7 News.
“The symptoms of salmonella food poisoning are abdominal pain, cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
“Some people may get a little but of a tummy upset. Others, as we’ve seen in this case, can be so severely affected they need hospitalisation.”
The recall affects nine SA Sprouts products. Drakes Foodland, IGA supermarkets, and other independent greengrocers who stock them have been ordered to remove them from the shelves.
Cafes and restaurants are urged to check their supplier. Anyone who has bought them has been advised to throw the products out or return them.
With a recall of this size, health authorities say it is possible some of the contaminated products will slip through the cracks.
They are urging anyone who experiences salmonella symptoms after eating these sprouts to see a doctor – particularly children, the elderly, and pregnant women.
SA Sprouts has been ordered to stop producing alfalfa sprouts until further notice.
