On Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:19:43 +0000 (UTC), Liberal Clown Show
> wrote:

>http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW02001.html
>
>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>April 26, 2009
> Media Inquiries:
>Michael Herndon, 301-796-4673
>Consumer Inquiries:
>888-INFO-FDA
>
>
>
>RAW ALFALFA SPROUTS LINKED TO SALMONELLA CONTAMINATION
>The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease
>Control and Prevention (CDC) today recommended that consumers not eat raw
>alfalfa sprouts, including sprout blends containing alfalfa sprouts, until
>further notice because the product has been linked to Salmonella serotype
>Saintpaul contamination. Other types of sprouts have not been implicated
>at this time.
>
>The investigation indicates that the problem may be linked to
>contamination of seeds for alfalfa sprouts. Because suspect lots of seeds
>may be sold around the country and may account for a large proportion of
>the alfalfa seeds currently being used by sprout growers, and cases of
>illness are spread across multiple states, FDA and CDC are issuing this
>general advisory.
>
>FDA will work with the alfalfa sprout industry to help identify which
>seeds and alfalfa sprouts are not connected with this contamination, so
>that this advisory can be changed as quickly as possible.
>
>CDC, FDA and six State and local authorities have associated this outbreak
>with eating raw alfalfa sprouts. Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South
>Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia have reported 31 cases of illness with the
>outbreak strain of Salmonella Saintpaul to CDC. Most of those who became
>ill reported eating raw alfalfa sprouts. Some reported eating raw sprouts
>at restaurants; others reported purchasing the raw sprouts at the retail
>level.
>
>The illnesses began in mid-March. Cases are still being reported, and
>possible cases are in various stages of laboratory testing, so illnesses
>may appear in other states. No deaths have been reported. The number of
>infected people may be higher than currently reported because some
>illnesses have not yet been confirmed with laboratory testing.
>
>The CDC and FDA recommend at all times that persons at high risk for
>complications, such as the elderly, young children, and those with
>compromised immune systems, not eat raw sprouts because of the risk of
>contamination with Salmonella or other bacteria. Salmonella is an
>organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young
>children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune
>systems. Healthy individuals infected with Salmonella often experience
>fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal
>pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the
>organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses,
>such as meningitis and bone infections.
>
>Initial investigation results trace the contaminated raw alfalfa sprouts
>to multiple sprout growers in multiple states. This suggests a potential
>problem with the seeds used, as well as the possible failure of the sprout
>growers involved to appropriately and consistently follow the FDA Sprout
>Guidance issued in 1999 http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/sprougd1.html. The
>guidance recommends an effective seed disinfection treatment immediately
>before the start of sprouting (such as treating seed in 20,000 parts per
>million Calcium hypochlorite solution with agitation for 15 minutes) and
>regularly testing the water used for every batch of sprouts for Salmonella
>and E coli O157:H7 contamination.
>
>This outbreak appears to be an extension of an earlier outbreak in 2009.
>In February and March, an outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul infections
>occurred in Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, and Minnesota. This
>outbreak was linked to raw alfalfa sprouts, and the outbreak strain was
>indistinguishable from that of these recently reported cases. A separate
>outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections was also linked to sprouts
>in 2009. In the 1990s, a number of outbreaks related to sprouts led FDA to
>issue its guidance. Experience over the past decade has shown that the
>likelihood of Salmonella in sprouts can be minimized when recommendations
>from FDA’s Sprout Guidance are followed.
>
>Preventive controls are very important in the growing of all raw sprouts.
>FDA reminds sprout growers to be vigilant in their food safety practices
>and strongly encourages sprout growers to follow the Agency’s Sprout
>Guidance. Additionally, the United Fresh Produce Association has advised
>all of its members to follow FDA’s guidance on sprouts. FDA appreciates
>that the produce industry has reinforced this message and reminds
>retailers that it is prudent to sell sprouts from growers who follow FDA's
>recommendations.
>
>For persons who continue to eat sprouts, visit (U.S. Food and Drug
>Administration, 2002 consumer advisory, available at
>http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/tpsprout.html).
>
>For more information on food safety, visit www.fda.gov .

Sealing the border and deportation of all illegal aliens is needed.

ted