Sludge Watch ==> Salmonella Contaminated Alfalfa Sprouts from California

[Maureen Reilly]

Sludgewatch Admin:

Did these sprout seeds came from sludged alfalfa fields?
The EPA doesn't enforce the Part 503 requirements in California.  With 
Region 9's relaxed "lets not enforce it" history - who knows whether sludged 
alfalfa crops are the source of these salmonella alfalfa seeds...allowing 
contamination of the seed head and seeding the sprouts with disease?

.......................................

CALIFORNIA: Monterey County issues salmonella warning for L.A. alfalfa 
sprouts
21.mar.08
The Californian

http://thecalifornian.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080321/NEWS01/80321008/1002


Monterey County Public Health Officials were cited as warning consumers not 
to eat Kowalke Family brand alfalfa sprout products because they may be 
contaminated with Salmonella.
The Los Angeles firm is voluntarily recalling these products because the 
alfalfa sprout seeds used to produce them were found to be contaminated with 
Salmonella. No illnesses have been associated with Kowalke Family Sprout 
Inc. alfalfa sprouts.
Kowalke Family Sprouts Inc. of Los Angeles products are distributed to 
retail stores, including stores in the Farmer’s Markets food chain, Whole 
Foods and Gelson’s Supermarkets. The recall includes:
- All alfalfa, onion/alfalfa mix, cauliflower/alfalfa mix and dinner salad 
mix
- Products in 4-ounce, 1-pound & 5-pound packages
- Product “sell-by dates” March 4 through March 26
All alfalfa, onion/alfalfa mix, cauliflower/alfalfa mix and dinner salad mix 
products are affected by the recall. Alfalfa products are in 4-ounce, 
8-ounce, 1-pound and 5-pound packages. The dinner salad is in an 8-ounce 
package. The cauliflower/alfalfa combo and onion/alfalfa mix are in 4-ounce 
packages. The products in question have sell-by dates from March 4 through 
March 26. The codes are located on the front label of the packages.
Monterey County Health Department continues to advise consumers about the 
risk of consuming raw sprouts. Conditions required for sprout growing are 
ideal for rapid bacterial growth.
Sprouts usually are eaten raw, with no additional treatment such as cooking 
which eliminates bacteria that can cause disease. Washing the sprouts will 
not necessarily remove the bacteria.
Further information, including pictures of the products, is available at 
www.cdph.ca.gov.