More than 20 cases of Salmonella infection have been reported in South Australia, with a link to alfalfa sprouts. Health officials say the Salmonella Havana outbreak has led to 21 illnesses and 7 hospitalizations. The implicated alfalfa sprouts came from SA Sprouts in Adelaide. They were sold at Drakes Foodland, IGA and numerous greengrocers in South Australia.

Professor Paddy Phillips, South Australia’s chief medical officer and chief public health officer, advised anyone who had purchased the recalled alfalfa sprouts to return them to the place of purchase for a refund or throw them away.

“We also want to alert cafes and restaurants to check their suppliers and not serve any SA Sprouts brand alfalfa sprout products until further notice. We are working closely with the producer and suppliers while we continue to investigate.”

According to foodsafetynews.com, consumers can identify the recalled alfalfa sprouts by looking for the following label and packaging information:

- alfalfa sprouts in 125-gram and 200-gram tubs, 1-kilogram bags
- green alfalfa sprouts in 125-gram tubs
- alfalfa and radish sprouts in 125-gram tubs
- alfalfa and onion sprouts in 125-gram tubs
- alfalfa and mustard in 125-gram tubs
- alfalfa and Chinese cabbage in 125-gram tubs
- alfalfa and garlic in 125-gram tubs
- salad mix in 175-gram tubs
- gourmet sprouts in 100-gram trio packs alfalfa, snow pea, small sprouted beans

People can experience symptoms of infection between six and 72 hours after exposure and symptoms usually last for three to seven days.

Dr. Rietie Venter, head of microbiology in the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences at the University of South Australia, said origin of the contamination had not been determined but could have been from the water used for irrigation, manure or the soil itself.