Listeria is an organism which can adversely affect a pregnancy potentially leading to miscarriage, premature delivery, and stillbirth.
Below is an alert from the FDA Food and Drug Administration for alfalfa sprouts which may contain listeria. If pregnant women become infected with listeria, they may have a stillbirth, miscarriage, or premature delivery
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 25, 2012 - Alfa Sprouts Inc. of Honeoye Falls, NY is recalling approx. 100 lbs of Springwater Sprouts brand Organic Alfalfa Sprouts and bulk 3# Clover Sprouts because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections to individuals with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
The following 2 products are being recalled by the firm.
- Clear clamshell packages containing 4 oz. Organic Alfalfa Sprouts with a sell-by date of 4/28/2012. This product was distributed in New York State. Product label and UPC code noted below.
UPC Code 688267047411
UPC Code 042891000523 - 3# Bulk containers of Clover Sprouts, with a production code of P93. This product was distributed to institutional accounts in Upstate New York.
The contamination was discovered after sampling under the USDA Microbiological Data Program by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets inspectors and subsequent analysis by the New York State Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the product. No illness has been reported to date.
Consumers who have purchased Organic Alfalfa Sprouts or bulk 3 # Clover Sprouts, distributed by Alfa Sprouts Inc. (Springwater Sprouts) should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Consumers with questions may contact the company at 585 624 1234.