Update (Feb. 4): A company from Kent, Washington has expanded its recall to include all varieties of sprouts, wheatgrass, and pea shoots for a potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, according to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.
Sprouters Northwest announced the expanded recall Monday afternoon and said to date there have been no reported illnesses.
The affected product includes all varieties of sprout products sold under the Sprouters Northwest and LifeForce brand names: 3-Bean Munchie, Alfalfa, Bean, Broccoli, Brocco Sandwich sprouts, Clover, Deli, Spicy; Wheatgrass and/or Pea Shoots. The Best by Dates are including all and up to 2/17/2013.
Consumers with questions may contact the company at 253-872-0577 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
Original (Jan. 29): Sprouters Northwest issued a recall for their packages of alfalfa, clover, brocco sandwich, and spicy sprouts due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious, and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly or frail people, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms, like high fever, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, but Listeria infection is serious and can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
The Department of Environmental Conservation confirmed that these products were distributed in Alaska, but no reports of illness have been reported.
The sprouts are packaged in plastic clamshell-containers; clover sprouts are also available in a one-pound bag.
The products were distributed between January 10 and January 18 and most have a "Best by Date" of January 26, except for the Alfalfa sprouts which have a "Best by Date" of January 31.
Consumers should not eat the recalled sprouts, it is recommended that the product is returned to the place of purchase.
For more information on this recall please click here.
Contact Jessica Ridgway
