FDA fresh sprout project finds some pathogens, other problems
An analysis of fresh sprouts and the companies that grow them has revealed relatively low numbers in terms of some foodborne pathogens — but also showed low compliance rates in terms of safety measures.
Out of 825 samples of seeds, water and finished sprouts tested, officials found Salmonella or Listeria contamination in only 14. None of the samples were positive for E. coli, but only finished sprouts and water were tested for that pathogen, not seeds, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
The 14 positive samples came from eight of the 94 growing operations included in the project, and 10 of the positives came from just four growers. FDA collected the samples from February 2014 through September 2015. Of the 825 samples, 608 came from growing operations, 101 from distributors and 116 from retailers across 37 states, Puerto Rico and Washington D.C.
FoodWorld 