Officials with the Government of South Australia (SA Health) are warning the public not to eat a number of alfalfa sprout products produced by Adelaide business Sunshine Sprouts, after several people became ill with Salmonella Oranienburg.

Image/OpenClipart-Vectors
Image/OpenClipart-Vectors

SA Health’s Acting Executive Director Public Health Services, Dr Chris Lease, said there had been spike in cases of Salmonella Oranienburg, with eight confirmed cases in the past month, compared with eight for all of last year.

“As part of the investigation into these cases, 116 alfalfa sprout products were sampled as two cases had reported eating these types of products.  Results received this morning identified that Salmonella Oranienburg was present in three of these samples,” Dr Lease said.

“A number of Sunshine Sprouts alfalfa sprouts products have already been voluntarily recalled and we are advising anyone who has purchased the affected products not to eat them, and to return them to the place of purchase for a refund or throw them away.

“We also want to alert cafes and restaurants to check their suppliers and not serve any of the affected Sunshine Sprouts alfalfa sprout products until further notice.

“In cases of salmonella a common food source is not often identified, however testing of retail product confirmed its presence in a variety of alfalfa sprout products.

“We are working closely with the producer and suppliers while we continue to investigate.”

Sunshine Sprouts products are sold at Coles, Foodland, IGA and numerous greengrocers.

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Products included in the recall are:

  • Alfalfa & Broccoli 125g
  • Alfalfa & Garlic 125g
  • Alfalfa & Mustard 125g
  • Alfalfa & Onion  125g
  • Alfalfa & Radish 125g
  • Alfalfa & Chinese Cabbage 125g
  • Gourmet Pack 100g
  • Green Alfalfa 125g
  • White Alfalfa 125g, 250g, 1kg

People can experience symptoms of salmonella infection between six and 72 hours after exposure and symptoms usually last for three to seven days.

Symptoms include fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, headaches, stomach cramps and loss of appetite.

Anyone who develops these symptoms and is concerned should see their doctor, particularly young children, older people, pregnant women and people who are immunocompromised because they are at risk of more severe illness.

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