Salmonella Find Prompts Sprout Recall

Salad Cosmo U.S.A., Dixon, Calif., is recalling packages of alfalfa sprouts after routine testing found salmonella in alfalfa seeds, according to the California Department of Health Services (CDHS).

The sprouts were sold to retail and foodservice outlets in California, Washington, Oregon and Nevada. They are packaged in 2.5-ounce plastic containers and 1-pound plastic bags with the label “Salad Cosmo Alfalfa Sprouts” and production codes 0519, 0520, 0521, 0522, 0523, 0524, 0525 and 0526.

No illnesses have been reported from the products. Alfalfa sprouts previously have been linked to outbreaks of salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 infection.

Because there is no kill step, for more than a decade CDHS has cautioned against eating sprouts. Conditions for growing sprouts are ideal for bacterial growth and consumers can unknowingly be exposed to sprouts in restaurant salads or sandwiches, according to the agency.