Health Risk in Sprouts Causes Large Supermarket Chain to Stop Selling Product

Kroger, one of the nation’s largest supermarket chains, has announced that they will no longer be selling alfalfa sprouts and bean sprouts in its stores due to potential food safety risks, according to ABC News.

This announcement makes Kroger the second major chain to stop selling sprouts in the United States. Wal-Mart pulled the product in 2010 after sprouts sold in their stores sickened 22 people.

The grocer has stated that current technology cannot guarantee that sprouts are safe for consumption because germs are present in the seeds.

Sprouts have been known to cause various foodborne illnesses including Salmonella and E. coli infections. Thoroughly cooking sprouts can reduce the risks of a foodborne illness, but most people eat sprouts raw, which does not kill the bacteria.

Individuals suffering from a foodborne pathogen such as Salmonella or E. coli typically develop fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Most individuals recover without treatment; however, young children, the elderly, and those with weak immune systems may develop more severe illnesses where hospitalization is required.

“Once food contaminated with a pathogen is consumed, the bacteria can multiply in the small intestines and cause an infection,” states Dr. Jason Dobranic Ph.D., EMSL’s Vice President of Microbiology & Life Sciences. “EMSL Analytical’s advanced microbiology laboratories located throughout the country provide sophisticated testing to detect pathogens, such as Salmonella and E. coli, in food and environmental samples.”

For more information about EMSL’s food testing division, please contact EMSL at 800-220-3675, email info@EMSL.com , or visit www.EMSL.com or www.foodtestinglab.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a full service testing company providing quality lab services under the same private ownership since 1981. Including the corporate lab facility in Cinnaminson, NJ, EMSL Analytical operates over thirty laboratories nationwide in the US and Canada. We provide analytical services for environmental, indoor air quality (IAQ), industrial hygiene, forensics and materials science, consumer products, food safety, PCR, pharmaceutical, asbestos, lead, and radiological samples. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations, as well as state and federal regulating bodies.
 

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com