HEALTH ALERT: South Australians are warned not to eat alfalfa sprout products from SA Sprouts after several people fell ill with salmonella.

South Australians are being warned not to eat alfalfa sprout products produced by Adelaide business SA Sprouts, after several people became ill with Salmonella havana.

SA Health’s Chief Medical Officer and Chief Public Health Officer, Professor Paddy Phillips, said there had been 21 recent confirmed cases of Salmonella havana, including seven people who were hospitalised.

“We are advising anyone who has purchased the recalled SA Sprouts alfalfa sprouts products to return them to the place of purchase for a refund, or throw them away,” Professor Phillips said.

“We also want to alert cafes and restaurants to check their suppliers and not serve any SA Sprouts alfalfa sprout products until further notice.

“In cases of salmonella a common food source is not often identified, however a joint investigation between SA Health, local government and Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) has linked these cases to SA Sprouts alfalfa sprouts.

“We are working closely with the producer and suppliers while we continue to investigate.”

SA Sprouts products are sold at Drakes Foodland, IGA and numerous greengrocers.

Products included in the recall are alfalfa (125g and 200g tubs, 1kg bags), green alfalfa (125g tubs), alfalfa and radish (125g tubs), alfalfa and onion (125g tubs), alfalfa and mustard (125g tubs), alfalfa and Chinese cabbage (125g tubs), alfalfa and garlic (125g tubs), salad mix (175g tubs) and gourmet sprouts (100g trio pack with alfalfa, snow pea, small sprouted bean).

People can experience symptoms of salmonella infection between six and 72 hours after exposure and symptoms usually last for three to seven days.

Symptoms include fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, headaches, stomach cramps and loss of appetite.

Anyone who develops these symptoms and is concerned should see their doctor, particularly young children, older people, pregnant women and people who are immunocompromised because they are at risk of more severe illness.

There have been 751 cases of salmonella infection (all types) reported to SA Health this year, compared to 829 at the same time last year and a total of 1432 for 2017.”

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