Living Foods Inc. of Ionia, Michigan, initiated a voluntary market withdrawal of alfalfa sprouts yesterday in response to a Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak investigation being conducted by the Michigan departments of Community Health and Agriculture.

According to a Michigan Department of Agriculture press release, 12 cases of salmonella in Michigan between August 17 and September 18, 2009, have been associated with this outbreak strain (see previous story, Salmonella Sprout Outbreak in Michigan).

The sprouts were distributed to retail and food service facilities through wholesale produce suppliers in Michigan under the Living Foods label with a sell by date of October 22 or earlier.  Products being recalled include:  alfalfa sprouts, 5 lb. box; 1 lb. bag; 4 oz. bag; 4 oz. cup; spicy sprouts, 4 oz. cup; 7 sprout, 4 oz. cup; alfalfa/onion, 4 oz. cup; and alfalfa/garlic, 4 oz. cups.

If consumers have any sprouts in their possession, they should be discarded.  Wholesalers and retailers should remove the sprouts from sale and cease distribution.