Green Valley Sprouts Recall Expanded: Listeria Contamination

A Green Valley Food Corp. sprouts recall has been expanded exponentially, with the company pulling more than 30,000 cases of sprouts off of store shelves from its “Let’s Grown Healthy Together!” and “Broccosprouts” labels due to the risk of salmonella and listeria contamination.

The Green Valley sprouts recall expansion was announced on January 3, after testing revealed listeria contamination in some of its products.

The testing came after a late December “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” sprouts recall was issued for some batches that were found to be tainted with salmonella. However, the company reports that there have been no cases salmonella or listeria food poisoning cases linked to the recalled sprouts.

The combined recalls affect about 35,159 cases of a variety of sprouts that were distributed in Texas between December 7 and January 1. The sprouts will have use-by dates ranging from 12/22/20111 and 1/17/2012. Products affected by the recall include:

• “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Alfalfa Sprouts 5 oz. plastic 2 piece containers with the UPC number 714722228818
• “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Spicy Sprouts 5 oz. plastic 2 piece containers with the UPC number 714722229914
• Alfalfa Sprouts 4oz. plastic security sealed clamshell UPC number 815098001088
• “Green Valley Food Corp.” Onion Sprouts” 4oz. plastic security sealed clamshell UPC number 815098002054
• “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Sunflower Greens 5 oz. plastic 2 piece containers with the UPC number 714722206069
• “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Clover Sprouts 5 oz. plastic 2 piece containers with the UPC number 714722225510
• “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Onion Sprouts 2 oz. plastic 2 piece containers with the UPC number 714722227712
• “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Zesty Sprouts 5 oz. plastic 2 piece containers with the UPC number 714722221116
• “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Organic Wheat Grass 6oz. plastic 2 piece containers with the UPC number 714722608122
• “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Mung Bean Sprouts 8oz. red polypropylene bag with the UPC number 714722208087
• “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Mung Bean Sprouts 8oz. clear polypropylene bag with the UPC number 815098001071
• “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Mung Bean Sprouts 16 oz. clear polypropylene bag with a green label, the UPC number 714722208162
• “Green Valley Food Corp.” Spicy Sprouts 4 oz. plastic security sealed clamshell containers with the UPC number 815098002023
• “Green Valley Food Corp.” Snow Pea Shoots 3 oz. plastic security sealed clamshell containers with the UPC number 714722106062
• “Green Valley Food Corp.” Organic Wheatgrass 4 oz. plastic security sealed clamshell containers with UPC number 714722608122
• “Green Valley Food Corp.” Daikon Sprouts 3 oz. plastic security sealed clamshell containers with UPC number 714722206076
• “Broccosprouts” Sandwich Blend 4 oz. plastic security sealed clamshell containers with UPC number 815098000289
• “Broccosprouts” Salad Blend 4 oz. plastic security sealed clamshell containers with UPC number 815098000265
• “Broccosprouts” Deli Blend 4 oz. plastic security sealed clamshell containers with the UPC number 815098000272
• “Broccosprouts” Broccoli Sprouts 4 oz. plastic security sealed clamshell containers with UPC number 815098000258

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that attacks the gastrointestinal tract, causing mild to severe food poisoning. For most healthy adults, symptoms of food poisoning from salmonella typically resolve after a few days or weeks. However, young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems have an increased risk of suffering severe food poisoning after ingesting the bacteria. If not properly treated, some cases of salmonella food poisoning can lead to hospitalization, dehydration or death.

Listeria illnesses pose a particular risk for children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. For pregnant women, illness from Listeria bacteria can cause miscarriages and still births.

Blood tests are usually required to diagnose listeriosis, which can be treated with antibiotics. Symptoms of listeriosis include muscle aches, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, severe headaches and fever. If the bacteria spreads from the intestines to the bloodstream and nervous system, it could cause meningitis and other complications.

The FDA and Green Valley Food Corp. recommends that consumers with sprouts affected by the recall throw them away immediately. Consumers with questions can call the company at (214) 939-3900 or e-mail the company at info@greenvalleyfood.com.