Since 1995, raw sprouts have emerged as a recognized source of foodborne illness in the United States. FDA's reaffirmation of this advice follows recent investigation by the state of California of 3 Salmonella and E. Coli 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.

The International Sprout Growers Association (ISGA) is taking positive steps to address this problem. For example, the sprout industry is pursuing the use of calcium hypochlorite at 20,000 parts per million (a 2 percent solution) for soaking of the seeds prior to germination and growth. 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. Among the steps that have been taken are these:

• FDA and CDC met with the sprout industry in 1995 to inform them of recent outbreaks and government concerns about the safety of sprouts.
• In July 1997, FDA and CDC charged the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) with reviewing available data on sprout associated outbreaks, and providing recommendations on intervention and prevention methods. (NACMCF is an expert scientific panel which advises the federal government on food safety matters).
• The industry is also actively working with FDA and USDA's Agricultural Research Service on other interventions including irradiation to address the problem.
• FDA has issued a nationwide field assignment to determine current sprout industry practices during growing, washing and packaging. Samples of seeds, processing water, and sprouts are being analyzed microbiologically. Enforcement actions will be considered as appropriate.
• The California Department of Health Services and FDA's Pacific Regional Office, in cooperation with the sprout industry, recently conducted a survey of growers in California. Information gathered during this survey was used to develop the current FDA nationwide assignment.
• On September 3-4, 1998, FDA will meet with industry representatives in Chicago to discuss ongoing cooperative research toward ensuring the safety of sprouts.
• On September 28 and 29, 1998, FDA will hold a public meeting on the safety of sprouts to provide a forum for discussion of the current situation, consumer perspectives, agricultural practices, the state of the science, and possible intervention methods.