Originally published December 14 2005
Salmonella outbreak in Ontario traced back to bean sprouts
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
In the Kingston area of Eastern Ontario, 15 cases of food poisoning from salmonella bacteria have been linked to raw bean sprouts.
At least 200 people across Ontario have become ill as result of salmonella in the past two months.
Those infected in Kingston ate raw bean sprouts, either at a downtown restaurant or after buying them from local grocery stores.
People in the area are advised not to eat any bean sprouts until the source of the outbreak is identified, said Dr. Ian Gemmill, medical officer of health for the region.
An emergency room doctor in Kingston found an increased incidence of gastrointestinal illnesses on a computer tracking system, Gemmill said.
The source of contamination doesn't appear to be local, and could be as remote as a grower of the seeds in China, he said.
Cross-contamination may have happened at the company that grows the seeds in Ontario, or during transport and handling.
Provincial and federal health officials are now tracking the possible source.
They are also warning the public against eating sprouts packaged by Toronto-based Sun Wah Trading Inc.
CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY: Health Hazard Alert Public health officials in Kingston plan to ask restaurant and grocery stores to stop offering bean sprouts until the source is identified.
Any food, utensil or work surface can be contaminated with salmonella.
Outbreaks have been caused by poorly cooked poultry and poultry products, uncooked or lightly cooked foods containing egg and egg products, raw milk and dairy products including dried milk, the health unit's salmonellosis factsheet says.
Gemmill said the outbreak highlights the importance of being vigilant about food handling.
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