This latest health advisory is an update of one previously issued on August 31, 1998. It is based on information from clover and alfalfa sprouts-associated Salmonellosis outbreaks that occurred between January and May, 1999. The outbreaks have included persons of both genders and in all age categories. Persons who want to reduce their risk of food borne illness from alfalfa, clover, or radish sprouts are advised not to eat them raw. FDA indicated that children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems are at high risk of developing serious illness due to food borne disease, and that they should not eat raw sprouts.
Elders are at high risk for severe food borne illnesses for several reasons.
First, as people age, their protective immunity decreases, leaving them more susceptible to illnesses caused by pathogenic organisms. Also, after approximately age 65, the stomach produces less acid which reduces a natural barrier against food borne pathogens. All of these factors make elders more susceptible to serious illness caused by food borne pathogens. The two organisms in raw sprouts that can cause illness are Salmonella and E. coli -0157. Infections with these two organisms are generally self-limiting among healthy adults, causing diarrhea, nausea , abdominal cramping, and fever for several days.