Organic Clover, Alfalfa Sprouts Recalled

Banner Mountain Sprouts is voluntarily recalling multiple varieties of organic alfalfa and clover sprouts because routine testing revealed the products may be contaminated with salmonella, the company announced in a news release on the Food and Drug Administration website Wednesday.

So far, no illnesses have been reported.

Recalled varieties include alfalfa sprouts in 1- and 2-pound zipper plastic bags and 4-ounce plastic clamshell containers; clover sprouts in 1-pound bags and 4-ounce containers; zesty greens in 4-ounce containers; sprout salads in 5-ounce containers; and alfalfa-broccoli sprouts in 4-ounce containers.

The number of units recalled was not specified.

According to the news release, the recalled sprouts were distributed to retail and wholesale locations throughout California. The Banner Mountain website indicates that the company supplies more than 500 California grocery stores, including .

Salmonella symptoms include diarrhea, fever and vomiting, and usually develop within four days of eating contaminated food. Most people recover within a week, though people with weakened immune systems are at risk for illness that requires hospitalization, according to the California Department of Public Health. People who are concerned they might be infected should contact their health care provider.

In an interview Wednesday with fresh-produce trade website The Packer, a Banner Mountain employee declined to give further information regarding the tests that showed possible contamination.

Nevertheless, the company's website indicates that "each crop grown is tested for salmonella and e. coli contamination by Silliker Laboratories."

"Sprouts are not released until safety (confirmation) has been received," according to the company.

People who bought the sprouts should immediately throw them out. For more information, contact Banner Mountain Sprouts at 916-737-0424.

Consumers who see the products on grocery-store shelves should call the CPDH complaint line at 800-495-3232.

This is not the first time products from Banner Mountain Sprouts have been recalled. In 2010, the company also recalled a batch of sprouts over salmonella concerns.