Salmonella Outbreak Sickens People in 10 States

(May 22) -- Salmonella traced to raw alfalfa sprouts has sickened at least 22 people in 10 states, including an infant in Oregon, prompting a nationwide recall of the product.

A Los Angeles-area food company, Caldwell Fresh Foods, announced a recall Friday of all of its alfalfa products marketed under three brands: Caldwell Fresh Foods, Nature's Choice and California Exotics. They were distributed to restaurants and sold in delis and grocery stores around the country -- including at Trader Joe's and Wal-Mart.

"We're very sorry that this has happened," Maurie Thomas, Caldwell's general manager, told The Los Angeles Times. "Alfalfa sprouts are strictly controlled" by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "We follow all of their guidelines to a T."

At least 22 people have come down with symptoms of salmonella after eating the sprouts, and investigators are using DNA analysis to see if all the cases are related, according to a statement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Six people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported. Half of all the cases have been in California, and others have been reported in Nevada, Wisconsin, Arizona, Oregon, Idaho, Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico and Colorado. The outbreak began on March 1.

In Oregon, a 4-month-old baby was hospitalized after eating alfalfa sprouts mixed with other foods. His sickness made the cause of the outbreak easier to identify, because he hadn't yet eaten many solid foods, William E. Keene, a senior epidemiologist at the Oregon health department, told The Associated Press.

Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection, and the illness usually lasts four to seven days, the CDC said. Most people recover without treatment, but the illness can be fatal for infants, the elderly and others with weakened immune systems.

While 22 cases have been reported, that figure might rise because it takes an average of two to three weeks from when a person becomes ill until the salmonella infection is reported, the CDC said.

Alfalfa sprouts are grown in a damp, humid environment where bacteria can also grow. Federal health officials say anyone with a weakened immune system should avoid them altogether because of the salmonella risk.

This is the second large multi-state recall of fresh produce this month. At least 26 people have also been sickened by an E. coli outbreak traced to romaine lettuce in Michigan, New York, Ohio, Tennessee and Pennsylvania.

Health officials say anyone who has the tainted products should throw them away, or return them to a grocery store for a refund.