The Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg represents victims of Salmonella food poisoning, including the Arby’s, Veggie Booty, Peter Pan, and Peanut Corporation of America outbreaks. We are ready to help you.  If you believe that you were injured in this latest Salmonella outbreak linked to raw alfalfa sprouts, please submit a Free Case Evaluation Form, or call us toll free at 1-877-934-6274.

Michigan Public Health Officials Warn Of Alfalfa Sprout Link To Salmonella Outbreak

On October 9, 2009, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) and Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) recommended that consumers (especially young children, the frail or elderly, and those with weakened immune systems) do not eat raw alfalfa sprouts because the product may be linked to a recent Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak.

To date, public health officials have confirmed 12 cases of Salmonella Typhimurium food poisoning in the Michigan counties of Bay, Genesee, Kent, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne.  The onset dates of the illnesses ranged from August 17 to September 18, 2009, and two hospitalizations have been reported.  The source of the sprouts linked to the Salmonella outbreak is still being investigated.

What May Have Gone Wrong

Alfalfa sprouts have been linked to Salmonella and E. coli outbreaks in the past. According to the MDCH, seeds used to grow the sprouts can become contaminated by fecal matter in the field, during storage, or as a result of poor hygienic practices during sprout growth and production.  The warm and humid conditions necessary for growing sprouts can also enhance bacterial growth.

In addition, growers may have failed to follow FDA Sprout Guidance, which recommends seed disinfection prior to seed germination for the production of sprouts; and the testing of wash water for each batch of sprouts for the presence of the bacterial pathogens Salmonella and E. coli.

Salmonella Symptoms

 Symptoms of Salmonella infection may include diarrhea (sometimes bloody), abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, and joint pain. Symptoms usually appear within 12-72 hours after the ingestion of contaminated food.

Free Legal Case Evaluation

If you are experiencing Salmonella food poisoning symptoms, contact your healthcare professional.  He or she can order a stool culture to confirm Salmonella infection, and provide you with the best advice concerning your health.

If you are diagnosed with Salmonella, are awaiting medical confirmation of infection, or have a question regarding your legal rights, please submit a Free Legal Case Evaluation, or call the Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg toll free at 1-877-934-6274.