RECALL: Sprouts - Specialty Farms,Vermont Sprout House,Nature’s Promise,BroccoSprouts

[MomToElizabeth]

Amalgamated Produce, Inc. Recalls Sprouts in the North Eastern United States Because of Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Amalgamated Produce, Inc.
(800)358-3808

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- April 9, 2009 -- Amalgamated Produce, Inc. (API), Bridgeport, CT, announced a voluntary recall today of its Specialty Farms, Vermont Sprout House, Nature’s Promise and BroccoSprouts (noted as distributed by API, Bridgeport, CT) sprout items with sell by date codes of March 31 through April 27, 2009.

These sprouts are being recalled because they may have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). Lm is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
There have been no cases of Listeriosis reported to date in connection with these products and API is issuing this recall as a precaution.

Amalgamated Produce, Inc. voluntarily recalled these sprouts after laboratory analysis in a finished product sample collected by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets tested positive.

The following describes the products that are being recalled. All these products have a sell by date code from March 31 through April 27, 2009. All these items are net weight 4 ounces, with the noted exception of Nature’s Promise Organic Alfalfa 8 ounce.

BRAND- ITEM DESCRIPTION-UPC

Specialty Farms - Organic Alfalfa Sprouts - 8192400052
Specialty Farms - Organic Sprout Salad - 8192400024
Specialty Farms - Organic Spicy Sprouts - 8192400058
Specialty Farms - Organic Clover Sprouts - 8192400042
Specialty Farms - Lucky Clover Sprouts - 8192400091
Specialty Farms - Broccoli Rabe Sprouts - 8192400076
Vermont Sprout House - Organic Alfalfa Sprouts - 2213601290
Vermont Sprout House - Organic Clover - 2213601293
Vermont Sprout House - Organic Bean Mix - 2213601180
Nature’s Promise - Organic Zesty Sprouts - 8826703903
Nature’s Promise - Organic Alfalfa Spouts - 8826704741
Nature’s Promise - Organic Alfalfa Sprouts (8 oz) - 8826704102
Nature’s Promise - Organic Sprouts to Munch - 8826704100
BroccoSprouts - Broccoli Sprouts - 1509800025
BroccoSprouts Salad Blend - Broccoli, clover & radish - 1509800026
BroccoSprouts Deli Blend - Broccoli, clover & mustard - 1509800027
BroccoSprouts Organic - Broccoli Sprouts -- 100% organic - 1509800118
BroccoSprouts Organic Deli Blend - 100% organic broccoli, clover & mustard - 1509800120
BroccoSprouts Organic Salad Blend - 100% organic broccoli, clover & radish - 1509800119
5 pound bulk alfalfa - Plastic bagged sprouts in a box with sticker identifying 5 pound bulk alfalfa, Julian dates 069 through 097

The above items are all in plastic containers, except for the Nature’s Promise 8 ounce organic alfalfa which is in a plastic bag.

Products have been distributed in the following states:

• NY, NJ, CT, RI, MA, NH, VT, ME, MD, PA & Delaware

API is currently in the process of determining exactly where this potential Lm contamination could be occurring in its facility and is immediately remedying the potential sources as they are identified. API hopes to return to full sprout production soon.

Consumers who have purchased this product are urged to return them to the point of purchase for refund and may contact API with questions at (800)358-3808 between the hours of 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. EST.

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/api04_09.html