The threat of food infection has reared its head again, prompting the recall of an item widely available throughout New York.
Honeoye Falls, New York-based Alfa Sprouts initiated the recall, which affects Organic Alfalfa Sprouts of the Springwater Sprouts brand and 3# Clover Sprouts available for purchase in bulk. The former item comes in a four ounce clam shell package and has a 4/28/2012 sell by date. The latter has a production code of P93. Although both products were available in New York, the Clover Sprouts were only shipped to upstate New York. More than 100 pounds of product is affected by this recall.
The safety issue comes from the threat of listeriosis. Testing conducted by inspectors from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets showed that the sprouts had been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. This was confirmed by officials with the Food Laboratory.
There have yet to be reported illnesses in conjunction with the sprout contamination. Listeriosis can cause nausea, fever, or abdominal pain in healthy people, but the infection risk it poses to those with a weakened immune system can be deadly. Those who have purchased the compromised product can return it for a complete refund.
Being a Fresno personal injury lawyer, I’m disturbed by the numerous recalls issued every week. This story is no different. I hope as a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles that the threat of infection remains just that, a threat, and that it does not get the chance to become reality.