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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, October 2001, p. 3461-3465, Vol. 39, No. 10
0095-1137/01/$04.00+0   DOI: 10.1128/JCM.39.10.3461-3465.2001
Copyright © 2001, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.

Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Serovar Muenchen Infections Associated with Alfalfa Sprouts Grown from Seeds Pretreated with Calcium Hypochlorite

Mary E. Proctor,1,* Marge Hamacher,2 Mary Lou Tortorello,3 John R. Archer,1 and Jeffrey P. Davis1

Bureau of Communicable Diseases, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, Madison, Wisconsin 537011; Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 537062; and National Center for Food Safety and Technology, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Summit-Argo, Illinois 605013

Received 7 May 2001/Returned for modification 9 July 2001/Accepted 22 July 2001

During September 1999, a multistate outbreak of Salmonella serovar Muenchen infection associated with eating raw alfalfa sprouts was identified in Wisconsin. Despite use of a calcium hypochlorite sanitizing procedure to pretreat seeds before sprouting, at least 157 outbreak-related illnesses were identified in seven states having sprouters who received alfalfa seed from a specific lot. The continued occurrence of sprout-related outbreaks despite presprouting disinfection supports the concern that no available treatment will eliminate pathogens from seeds before sprouting and reinforces the need for additional safeguards to protect the public. A lack of consumer knowledge regarding exposure to sprouts documented in this investigation suggests that more-targeted outreach to high-risk individuals may be needed to reduce their risk.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Wisconsin Division of Public Health, Department of Health and Family Services, P.O. Box 2659, Madison, WI 53701-2659. Phone: (608) 267-9005. Fax: (608) 261-4976. E-mail: proctme{at}dhfs.state.wi.us.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, October 2001, p. 3461-3465, Vol. 39, No. 10
0095-1137/01/$04.00+0   DOI: 10.1128/JCM.39.10.3461-3465.2001
Copyright © 2001, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.


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