The U.S. government has filed a lawsuit against Wholesome Soy Products of Chicago, attempting to stop the company from distributing food products after an outbreak of Listeria was linked to the company’s mung bean and soybean sprouts. Last fall, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that it was collaborating with the Food…
CDC: Investigation Into Sprout-Linked Listeria Outbreak is Over
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a final update Tuesday on the 2014 Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to bean sprouts which killed two people and hospitalized five (four from Illinois and one from Michigan). The agency declared the investigation over and noted that, as of Nov. 7, 2014, Wholesome Soy Products…
CDC: 115-Case Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Bean Sprouts is Officially Over
The Salmonella outbreak connected to bean sprouts that caused at least 115 illnesses in 12 Northeast states has been declared over, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At least 29 patients were hospitalized. In November, the bean sprout producer, Wonton Foods Inc., agreed to destroy remaining products while their facilities…
The 10 Worst U.S. Foodborne Illness Outbreaks of 2014
This year saw dozens of well-publicized foodborne illness outbreaks caused by everything from bean sprouts to cilantro to caramel apples. Food Safety News has compiled a list of the 10 most harmful U.S. outbreaks of 2014, in terms of both the number of people who died and the number sickened. This list includes only foodborne…
CDC Update: 111 Sickened in Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Bean Sprouts
At least 111 people in 12 states have been confirmed infected with Salmonella in an outbreak linked to bean sprouts produced by Wonton Foods, Inc., according to an outbreak update posted Tuesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Twenty-six percent of patients have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Since…
CDC Update: 87 in 11 States Infected With Salmonella Linked to Bean Sprouts
A Dec. 4 update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that, as of Dec. 2, a total of 87 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Enteritidis have been reported from 11 states. Twenty-seven percent of ill persons have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. 
Since the last…
Study: Chlorine Dioxide Gas Offers Hope for Sprout Sanitation
Chlorine dioxide gas may be an effective tool for combating Salmonella on sprouts, according to a new study. Researchers at Rutgers University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have found that chlorine dioxide gas is more effective at killing Salmonella on bean sprouts than chlorine wash — the industry-preferred decontamination technique.…
Sprout Salmonella Outbreak Up to 68 in Northeast
As of November 24, a total of 68 persons infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Enteritidis have been reported from 10 states. The number of ill people identified in each state is as follows: Connecticut (4), Maine (3), Massachusetts (31), Montana (1), New Hampshire (4), New York (5), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (10), Rhode…
Recalled Bean Sprouts Linked to 2 Listeria Deaths, 3 Hospitalizations
Two people have died and three others have been hospitalized after eating Listeria-contaminated bean sprouts produced by Wholesome Soy Products of Chicago, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The victims became ill between June and August 2014, but this is the first announcement of the outbreak. It was detected retroactively using…
24 E. Coli Illnesses in Canada Associated With Bean Sprouts
Following a recent cluster of E. coli O157:H7 cases in the Edmonton area, Alberta Health Services (AHS) is advising people to take precautions to prevent the spread of the illness. There have been a reported 24 cases of E. coli in the Edmonton area in recent weeks, and AHS officials believe bean sprouts to…
Bean Sprouts Recalled in Canada for Potential Salmonella Contamination
Fresh Sprout International Ltd. is recalling Fresh Sprouts brand Fresh Bean Sprouts distributed in Ontario due to the potential of Salmonella contamination. According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), there have been no reported illnesses associated with this product. The recalled bean sprouts are sold in a 454-gram bag (about 1 pound) and have…