Colorado State University Extension
SafeFood Rapid Response Network


SAFEFOOD NEWS - Fall 1998 - Vol 3 / No. 1

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Interim Advisory on Alfalfa Sprouts

The Food and Drug Administration is reaffirming health advisories that persons who are at high risk for severe foodborne disease should avoid eating raw alfalfa sprouts. This reaffirmation is an interim measure until such time as intervention methods are in place to improve the safety of these products. Persons at high risk include children, the elderly, and persons with compromised immune systems. Similar advice was given by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after reporting outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report ( MMWR) publication in August 1997.

Since 1995, raw sprouts have emerged as a recognized source of foodborne illness in the United States. FDA's reaffirmation of this advice follows a recent investigation by the state of California of 3 Salmonella and E. coli 0157 outbreaks. The California Department of Health Services has issued a statewide advisory about the potential risk of illness to vulnerable populations.

The International Sprout Growers Association (ISGA) is taking positive steps to address this problem. For example, the sprout industry is pursuing the use of calcium hypochlorite at 20,000 parts per million (a 2 percent solution) for soaking of the seed prior to germination and growth. This method of treating seeds has the potential to substantially reduce microbial contamination of seeds, which can be passed on through the growing sprouts. The Environmental Protection Agency is expediting evaluation of this procedure. The ISGA is working with FDA and the California Department of Health Services to develop and implement a food safety program for sprout growers.

CDC and the FDA have closely monitored the occurrence of foodborne illness outbreaks associated with sprouts, and the FDA has been actively working with other agencies and industry to develop a strategy to enhance the safety of sprouts.

The FDA and other public health agencies will continue to work with healthcare professionals in raising awareness about this potential risk. Consumers who have eaten raw sprouts and are experiencing severe diarrhea or other extreme symptoms of foodborne infections are advised to consult their healthcare providers.

Source: FDA Media Release, August 31, 1998.

Updated Monday, August 29, 2011