Bean sprout warning reinstated after Salmonella findings

18-May-2016 - Last updated on 19-May-2016 at 11:13 GMT

Sunshine Sprouts recalled product

South Australian health authorities have re-issued a warning on mung bean sprouts almost a month after saying they were safe to eat.

SA Health ordered producer Star Tu to recall all products and stop sales after Salmonella Saintpaul was found in packaged bean sprouts.

Sunshine Sprouts, a packager of Star Tu products, has been told to recall and stop selling any products containing Star Tu mung bean sprouts.

Professor Paddy Phillips, chief public health officer at SA Health advised consumers to throw out bean sprouts or return them to the place of purchase.

Alfalfa sprouts, soy bean sprouts, snow pea sprouts or Brussel sprouts are not affected.

At this stage, there are no other brands /manufacturers included in the recall.

More than 350 cases

Since the start of December there have been 254 Salmonella Saintpaul cases reported. South Australia normally sees around 15-20 cases each year.

In a press conference when sprouts were given the all-clear, Professor Phillips, said it was a 'single, isolated incident' adding there was no ongoing health risk or evidence of poor practices.

The washing tray where the sprouts go through was contaminated with the same strain as the notified cases. Since first identification the processing plant was found to be clear of the pathogen, as had the only other factory in South Australia that produces bean sprouts.

The Northern Territory Department of Health also reported 120 people in the Darwin area that have been affected by the bacterial infection since the beginning of April.

The NT Department of Health gave sprouts the all-clear in early May.

At the time, Dr Peter Markey, head of disease surveillance at the Centre for Disease Control, said because of Darwin’s distance from the South Australian supply network NT Health wanted to be absolutely confident any potentially infected bean sprouts were no longer on supermarket shelves.

Sunshine Sprouts and Star Tu Chinese Bean Sprouts have been recalled from major and small supermarkets, small grocers and fruit and vegetable grocers in South Australia and Northern Territory.

All dates in the market of Sunshine Sprouts - plastic tub, 125g and Star Tu - sold in plastic bags, also sold to consumers loose, all sizes including 350g, 1Kg and 5Kg are affected.