After a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Muenchen, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas Department of Agriculture, and Oklahoma Department of Health, began an investigation of alfalfa sprouts produced by Sweetwater Farms LLC that may be the source of the outbreak.
SALMONELLA FOOD POISONING SYMPTOMS AND COMPLICATIONS
The U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1,027,561 cases of salmonellosis occur in the United States each year. Approximately 400 of those cases result in death. Symptoms of Salmonella infection may include diarrhea (sometimes bloody), abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, and joint pain. Symptoms usually appear 6 to 72 hours after the ingestion of contaminated food.
Alfalfa Salmonella Outbreak Details
According to the CDC, thirteen people were infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Muenchen, all reported having ate alfalfa sprouts. The infected were found in four states: Kansas (5), Missouri (3), Oklahoma (3), and Pennsylvania (2). Five of those sickened have been hospitalized. The people infected reported illness onset from December 1, 2015 through January 21, 2016. Of 12 interviews, one person reported that the contaminated sprouts were purchased at a grocery store. The rest of those infected reported having been served the sprouts at a restaurant. According to the outbreak announcement from the CDC, Sweetwater Farms of Inman, Kansas supplied the sprouts to five restaurant locations where the sick people had eaten.
Alfalfa Salmonella Outbreak Recall
On February 19, 2016, after having been alerted of the Salmonella Muenchen outbreak connected to their product by the FDA and other federal, state, and local agencies, Sweetwater Farms LLC recalled alfalfa sprouts from lot 042016. By February 26, 2016, Sweetwater Farms recalled all of their sprout products from the market.
To see more details of the Sweetwater Farms Alfalfa Sprout Recall, visit FDA Recall Press Release.
FOOD POISONING LAWSUITS AND SALMONELLA LAWSUIT HELP
The Weinberg Law Firm is currently assisting victims of food poisoning outbreaks seek legal compensation for their injuries. If you or a loved one was sickened after consuming a Salmonella contaminated product and are seeking Salmonella lawsuit help, please call our law firm toll free at 1-877-934-6274 for a free food poisoning lawsuit evaluation.
