Berlin Seeds Recalls Alfalfa Sprouting Seed Because of Possible Health Risk

Berlin Seeds, of Millersburg, OH, is recalling 950 lbs of Alfalfa Sprouting Seed because the seed has the potential to be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and/or Salmonella.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are organisms that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Escherichia coli (STEC) O26:H11, E. coli O103:H25, and E. coli O168:H8 are three members of this group of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. STECs cause an acute diarrheal illness (often bloody diarrhea) within a few days of ingestion of the bacteria. Most people recover within a week. However, a subset of infected individuals (especially children < 5 years of age, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals) may develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe illness characterized by hemolytic anemia (red cell breakdown), thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) and renal failure. HUS can lead to death.

The most common clinical illness caused by nontyphoidal Salmonella infection is gastroenteritis, resulting in nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps, which typically begins 6–72 hours after ingestion of contaminated food or water. Salmonella gastroenteritis is usually a self-limited disease in the normal healthy individual. Patients at risk for more severe illness include neonates, infants, adults greater than 65 years, and patients with impaired immunity or immunosuppressive treatments. In these rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and septic arthritis.