Aug 21 (Reuters) – U.S. health officials on Friday said they were investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli and salmonella infections linked to alfalfa sprouts.
Here are more details:
• The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported 55 cases and four hospitalizations across 15 states with zero deaths, as of Friday.
• Traceback data show that alfalfa sprouts distributed by Everything Sprouts of Minneapolis, Minnesota, may be contaminated with multiple pathogens and have been identified as a source of the illnesses in this outbreak, FDA and CDC said.
• FDA is working with Everything Sprouts and has recommended the company conduct a recall, it said.
• This comes amidst an ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to lettuce and a separate salmonella outbreak tied to jalapenos that have shaken U.S. consumer confidence, with many forgoing eating fresh produce or dining out at restaurants.
• The CDC said in the latest outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts, 46 people were infected with E. coli, 7 with salmonella, and 2 with both salmonella and E. coli.
• E. coli and salmonella are two common types of bacteria that cause food poisoning. Both lead to stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.
• Illnesses started on dates ranging from May 31 to August 8, CDC and FDA said, adding that of the 34 people interviewed, 26 reported eating alfalfa sprouts.
• CDC is advising people not to eat, sell, or serve affected alfalfa sprouts.
(Reporting by Sneha S K in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)
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