Salad cosmo has just recalled sprouts because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.  The consumption of raw sprouts has been linked to over 30 outbreaks of foodborne illness throughout North America in the past 15 year affecting tens of thousands of people. The first consumer warning about sprouts was issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in 1997. By July 9, 1999, FDA had advised all Americans to be aware of the risks associated with eating raw sprouts and that the best way to control the risk was to simply not eat raw sprouts.

Sprouts, by nature, present a special food safety challenge because the way they are grown — high moisture and high temperature — is also an ideal environment for bacterial growth. In addition they are just about impossible to wash.

A complete list of sprouts-related outbreaks can be found here.

I wonder if this recall is related to the unknown illnesses we saw earlier in the month.

—
California warns that Salad Cosmo sprouts may have salmonella
The Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif.- State health officials warned Thursday that alfalfa sprouts sold by a Northern California company to stores and restaurants in California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington may be contaminated with salmonella bacteria.

The company, Salad Cosmo USA Corp., of Dixon, announced a voluntary recall after routine tests found salmonella in alfalfa seeds.

Click here to read the full story.