Persons at high risk include children, the elderly, and persons with compromised immune systems. Since 1995, raw sprouts have emerged as a recognized source of foodborne illness in the United States. O157 outbreaks associated with sprouts that affected a total of approximately 60 persons. The California Department of Health Services has issued a statewide advisory about the potential risk of illness to vulnerable populations. An E. coli O157 infection can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome with resultant kidney failure or death in children, and equally serious complications in the elderly.
Salmonella infections can cause serious illness in children, the elderly and the immune compromised.
Healthy persons infected with these bacteria experience diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramping or fever for several days, but generally the illness is self-limiting. This method of treating seeds has the potential to substantially reduce microbial contamination of seeds which can be passed on through the growing sprouts. The Environmental Protection Agency is expediting evaluation of this procedure. The ISGA is working with FDA and the California Department of Health Services to develop and implement a food safety program for sprout growers. CDC and FDA have closely monitored the occurrence of foodborne illness outbreaks associated with sprouts, and FDA has been working with other agencies and industry to develop a strategy to enhance the safety of sprouts.