Contaminated bean sprouts sicken more than 100

18-Dec-2014 - Last updated on 18-Dec-2014 at 09:24 GMT

Contaminated bean sprouts are likely no longer available, said CDC

Salmonella from bean sprouts has sickened more than 100 people from 12 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Wonton Foods has been named as the producer of the contaminated sprouts.

A total of 111 people have been infected, 26% of those ill have been hospitalized but no deaths have been reported.

Salmonella Enteritidis illness onset dates range from September 30 to November 22.

Multi-state outbreak investigation

The US Food and Drug Administration with the CDC and state and local officials are investigating the multi-state outbreak of infections.

Ill people range in age from younger than 1 year to 83 years, with a median age of 34 years. 64% of ill persons are female.

In interviews, 48 (66%) of 73 ill persons reported eating bean sprouts or menu items containing bean sprouts in the week before becoming ill, said the CDC.

Wonton Foods Inc. agreed to destroy any remaining products while they conducted a thorough cleaning and sanitization and implemented other Salmonella control measures on November 21.

Three days later the firm completed the cleaning and sanitation and started production of bean sprouts and resumed shipment on November 29.

Contaminated bean sprouts are likely no longer available for purchase given the maximum 12-day shelf life of mung bean sprouts.

Since the last update on December 4, 24 additional illnesses have been reported from Connecticut (1), Maine (1), Maryland (5), New Hampshire (2), New York (7), Pennsylvania (7), and Rhode Island (1).

CDC recommended cooking sprouts thoroughly to reduce the risk of illness and kill any harmful bacteria.