March 6, 2009
Sprouts tentatively linked to an outbreak of salmonella in Kansas and three other states were shipped to the Kansas City area, health officials said Friday.
Five salmonella cases in northeast Kansas have been tied to the outbreak, said the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Tests are being done on a sixth case to see if it is tied to the outbreak.
At least 24 cases of the same Salmonella Saintpaul strain have been confirmed in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota, with more cases under review.
SunSprout Enterprises Inc. of Omaha, Neb., this week voluntarily recalled its alfalfa, onion and gourmet sprouts as a precaution when there appeared to be a link between the products and the outbreak.
The sprouts had been shipped to the Kansas City area, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Local health departments are making spot checks of grocery stores to make sure the sprouts are off the shelves.
No salmonella cases related to the outbreak have been reported in Missouri.
A SunSprout spokesman said Friday that no problems had been found during an inspection, and the company had been cleared to ship its sprouts.