Multistate outbreak of Salmonella serovar Muenchen infections associated with alfalfa sprouts grown from seeds pretreated with calcium hypochlorite.

Abstract

During September 1999, a multistate outbreak of Salmonella serovar Muenchen infection associated with eating raw alfalfa sprouts was identified in Wisconsin. Despite use of a calcium hypochlorite sanitizing procedure to pretreat seeds before sprouting, at least 157 outbreak-related illnesses were identified in seven states having sprouters who received alfalfa seed from a specific lot. The continued occurrence of sprout-related outbreaks despite presprouting disinfection supports the concern that no available treatment will eliminate pathogens from seeds before sprouting and reinforces the need for additional safeguards to protect the public. A lack of consumer knowledge regarding exposure to sprouts documented in this investigation suggests that more-targeted outreach to high-risk individuals may be needed to reduce their risk.

• Authors: M E Proctor, M Hamacher, M L Tortorello, J R Archer, J P Davis
• Journal: Journal of clinical microbiology (J Clin Microbiol) Vol. 39 Issue 10 Pg. 3461-5 (Oct 2001) ISSN: 0095-1137 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11574556 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Calcium Compounds
• calcium hypochlorite

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Calcium Compounds (pharmacology)
• Case-Control Studies
• Disease Outbreaks
• Disinfection (methods)
• Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field
• Female
• Germination
• Humans
• Male
• Medicago sativa (microbiology, physiology)
• Middle Aged
• Salmonella (classification, genetics, isolation & purification)
• Salmonella Food Poisoning (epidemiology, microbiology)
• Seeds (drug effects, microbiology)
• United States (epidemiology)