BURST(NEXSTAR) — Federal food and health officials have connected a salmonella outbreak impacting patients in 10 states to frozen sprouted beans that have been recalled.
Since last fall, 11 people have been diagnosed with salmonella, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows, with most of the cases occurring since early April. According to the CDC, Massachusetts has seen two cases in connection with this outbreak. Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington have all recorded single cases.
Patients range in age from less than a year old to 78 years old, and many of them said they had shopped at Indian grocery stores and consumed Indian cuisine. Four said they ate or likely ate sprouted beans.
The CDC said testing done by the Food and Drug Administration in May revealed samples of frozen sprouted mat, or moth, and moong beans tested positive for the same salmonella strain found in those who became ill.
"This means that people likely got sick from eating sprouted beans," the CDC explained.
Which products have been recalled?
On Wednesday, Chetak LLC Group issued a recall for packages of Deep brand frozen Sprouted Mat (Moth) and Sprouted Moong. Both products were sold in 16-ounce pouches, the notice on the FDA website reads. 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 said that while "no illness have been reported to date in connection with this problem to company," the sprouted beans were recalled over potential salmonella contamination that "was noted after routine testing by FDA." Meanwhile, an investigation into "the source of the problem" is ongoing.
If you have any of the recalled product, you are asked to return it for a full refund.
What is salmonella?
It’s caused by the salmonella bacteria, which the CDC estimates cause 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the U.S. yearly.
Salmonella infections are commonly associated with diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, according to the CDC. Symptoms can begin between six hours and six days after you’ve ingested the bacteria. Most people can recover without receiving treatment within four to seven days.
Illnesses may be more severe for young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. Some may require medical treatment or hospitalization, the CDC explains. Infections can only be diagnosed with a laboratory test of a person’s stool, body tissue or fluids.
Other recent salmonella outbreaks have been linked to pistachio cream, eggs, and cucumber products.