Multistate Salmonella Outbreak Tied to Recalled Frozen Sprouted Beans: CDC and FDA Alert

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Frozen Sprouted Beans

Federal food and health officials have identified a salmonella outbreak that has affected individuals in 10 states, tracing the source back to frozen sprouted beans that have now been recalled. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that since last fall, 11 people have been diagnosed with salmonella infections, with most cases occurring since early April.

Massachusetts has reported two cases tied to this outbreak, while Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington each have recorded one case. The affected individuals range in age from less than a year old to 78 years old. Many of them mentioned shopping at Indian grocery stores and consuming Indian cuisine, with four individuals stating they had eaten or likely consumed sprouted beans.

The CDC noted that testing conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May found samples of frozen sprouted mat (also known as moth) and sprouted moong beans tested positive for the same strain of salmonella linked to the illnesses. This indicates that people likely became sick from eating these sprouted beans.

Products Recalled

On Wednesday, Chetak LLC Group issued a recall for packages of Deep brand frozen Sprouted Mat (Moth) and Sprouted Moong. These products were sold in 16-ounce pouches, and the impacted packages will have one of the following lot codes printed on the back of the bag:

Sprouted Mat (Moth):
24330, 25072, 25108, 24353, 25171, 24297, 25058, 25078, 24291, 25107, 24354, 24292

Sprouted Moong:
24330, 25072, 25108, 24353, 25171, 24297, 25058, 25078, 24291, 25107, 24354, 24292

The company stated that while no illnesses have been reported so far, the sprouted beans were recalled due to potential salmonella contamination discovered during routine FDA testing. An investigation into the source of the problem is ongoing.

Consumers who have any of the recalled products are advised to return them for a full refund.

Understanding Salmonella

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that causes illness in humans. According to the CDC, it is responsible for approximately 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States each year. The infection typically presents with symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. These symptoms usually appear between six hours and six days after ingestion of the bacteria and can last four to seven days in most cases.

However, for certain vulnerable groups—such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems—salmonella infections can be more severe and may require medical treatment or hospitalization. Diagnosis is typically confirmed through laboratory tests of stool, body tissue, or fluids.

Recent Salmonella Outbreaks

This is not the first time salmonella has been linked to food products. Other recent outbreaks have been associated with pistachio cream, eggs, and cucumber products. These incidents highlight the importance of food safety and the need for continuous monitoring and recalls when necessary.

Consumers are encouraged to remain vigilant about food safety, especially when purchasing and preparing meals. If you suspect you have been affected by a contaminated product, it is important to seek medical attention and report the incident to local health authorities.