December 5, 2014 — An outbreak of food poisoning linked to mung bean sprouts from Wonton Foods has sickened 87 people in 11 states, according to an update from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The pathogen implicated in the outbreak is Salmonella Enteritidis, which typically causes diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps within 12-72 hours.
Since the last update on November 25, the CDC has received 19 additional reports of illness in Connecticut (3), Massachusetts (4), New York (9), Ohio (2), and Virginia (1). No deaths have been reported, but the hospitalization rate has increased to 27%.
Investigators have traced the outbreak to mung bean sprouts, which were produced by Brooklyn-based Wonton Foods, Inc. and eaten primarily at Asian-style restaurants. Wonton has not issued a recall, but agreed to destroy all remaining stock and implement sanitation measures to control Salmonella.
Illnesses were reported between September 30 and November 14. Wonton resumed shipments of bean sprouts on November 29. According to the CDC:
“Contaminated bean sprouts produced by Wonton Foods, Inc. are likely no longer available for purchase or consumption given the maximum 12-day shelf life of mung bean sprouts.”
Bean sprouts have caused dozens of outbreaks of food poisoning in the last two decades. The problem is that bacteria thrives in the warm, moist conditions required for sprouting. Another problem is that sprouts are often eaten raw.
As a precaution, the CDC recommends that children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems should avoid eating sprouts of any kind, including alfalfa, clover, radish, and mung beans.
Do I have a Bean Sprout Salmonella Outbreak Lawsuit?
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