News Release                   For Immediate Release

November 25, 2005

Bean Sprout Alert

GREY/BRUCE – In response to a recent province-wide advisory concerning Salmonella illnesses associated with the consumption of bean sprouts (also known as mung beans), the Grey Bruce Health Unit has initiated inspections of specific area food premises to ensure the affected bean products are not served / sold locally. The public is being advised to avoid eating bean sprouts, also known as mung or Chinese green bean sprouts until the source of this outbreak is confirmed. If in doubt, throw them out.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is working with the manufacturer, Sun Wah to voluntarily recall the affected products from the marketplace and stop distribution of the product. Sun Wah Bean Sprouts are sold in packages of various weights and may be packaged under various store names with or without the Sun Wah name. All codes and Best Before dates are affected by this alert. Consumers who may have purchased bean sprouts are advised to discard the product. This product is distributed across Ontario.
There have been a number of reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

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For further information call Public Health at 376-9420.

Attachments:

News release November 24, 2005; Salmonella Outbreak Confirmed in Ontario.

See also:
Sprouts Health Risks - Health Canada [PDF]
Sprouts Health Risks - Canadian Food Inspection Agency [PDF]

For more information:

Chris Munn

Manager Health Protection

Grey Bruce Health Unit

(519) 376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 235