Officials are warning of the spread of an outbreak of deadly bacteria linked to contaminated broccoli sprouts.
Idaho-based Evergreen Fresh Sprouts LLC announced Thursday it is voluntarily recalling 215 cases of broccoli sprouts because they may be contaminated with salmonella bovismorbificans, a type of bacteria that causes bloody diarrhea.
The affected cases, which had six 4oz bags in each, were distributed to food co-ops, restaurants, food service customers and grocery stores in Washington state, Montana and Idaho.
The products are packaged in plastic bags or plastic clamshell containers with expiration dates of September 7, September 9, September 11, September 14 and September 16.
According to the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 22 people have been sickened in Washington, Montana, Idaho and Utah. There have also been two hospitalizations but no deaths reported.
FDA officials also note the contaminated products may have reached other states as well.
The recall has not been classified, though – given previous similar recalls – it may be given a Class I designation, which represents ‘a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.’
While most people recover from salmonella on their own, vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals may be at risk of several complications such as infections and organ damage.
Broccoli sprouts have been recalled as they may be contaminated with salmonella (stock image)
The FDA urged consumers, restaurants and retailers to not eat, serve or sell the recalled broccoli sprouts.
Customers who purchased or received the sprouts should carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that they touched to reduce the spread of salmonella, the FDA said.
A total of 22 illnesses have been reported to the CDC, though the agency notes more recent illnesses may not yet be reported, as it takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick individual is part of an outbreak.
The true toll is also likely higher because many people recover without seeking medical care or testing.
According to the CDC, illnesses tied to the outbreak began July 7 and continued through August 26.
Of those, all 19 of those interviewed by state and local public health officials confirmed eating sprouts before becoming ill. All but two of the same group said they specifically ate broccoli sprouts.
Washington reported the highest number of illnesses at 16. There were four people sickened in Montana, one in Idaho and one in Utah. The two hospitalized individuals both live in Washington.
On September 2, the Washington State Department of Health announced it was investigating a salmonella outbreak after 13 residents reported becoming ill after eating the company’s sprouts between July 7 and July 18.
The following day, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services announced its own investigation after two people became ill.
Evergreen Fresh Sprouts recalled its broccoli sprouts based on a positive salmonella test result from a sample analyzed by Montana officials, according to the FDA.
Salmonella bovismorbificans is a strain of salmonella that can cause diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps and dehydration – symptoms that require medical attention, particularly for children under five, adults over 65 and those with weakened immune systems.
Pictured above is a package of the recalled broccoli sprouts
The above CDC map shows states where illnesses related to the outbreak have been reported. Most of the illnesses (16) were in Washington
The CDC estimates that salmonella causes approximately 1.3 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations and 420 deaths in the US each year.
While most cases resolve with supportive care, primarily hydration and rest, the bacteria’s ability to survive stomach acid and invade intestinal cells makes it a powerful pathogen.
In severe cases, the infection can escalate beyond the gastrointestinal tract.
When salmonella enters the bloodstream, a condition known as bacteremia, it can travel to other parts of the body and cause secondary infections.
These can include endocarditis, or infection of the heart valves; osteomyelitis, or bone infection; meningitis, or an infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord; or septic arthritis, a joint infection.
These invasive infections are particularly dangerous and require prompt treatment with antibiotics, often administered intravenously in a hospital setting.
Invasive salmonellosis can also lead to long-term complications, even after the initial infection resolves.
Some people develop reactive arthritis, a condition characterized by joint pain, eye inflammation and painful urination that can persist for months or even years.
Others may experience post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome, with chronic digestive issues stemming from the damage the bacteria caused to the intestinal lining during the acute phase of illness.
Salmonella is resilient. It can survive on surfaces for weeks and is resistant to certain environmental stresses, making it difficult to eliminate completely from food manufacturing facilities.
Because contaminated foods look, smell and taste completely normal, the only way to protect consumers is to remove them from the supply chain before they can be eaten.
The cases come amid a nationwide recall of jalapenos that were contaminated with salmonella. As of August 21, there have been 431 cases and 57 hospitalizations across 32 states in that recall.
