Federal food-safety officials are monitoring separate multistate illness investigations involving frozen blueberries and sprouts, according to a health report published Monday. The cases are another reminder for consumers to check freezers and refrigerators when federal agencies announce recalls involving foods that may remain in homes for weeks or months.
The frozen-blueberry investigation involves E. coli infections associated with recalled organic frozen fruit. Earlier federal updates identified illnesses in multiple states and advised consumers not to eat affected products, including certain recalled berry products that may still be stored in household freezers.
A separate investigation has involved sprouts linked to Salmonella illnesses. Sprouts present a particular food-safety challenge because the warm and humid conditions needed for seeds to sprout can also allow bacteria to multiply if contamination is present.
Symptoms of E. coli infection can include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. Salmonella commonly causes diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, and both infections can become more serious for certain patients, including young children, older adults and people with underlying health risks.
Consumers should compare products in their homes against the exact brand, package size, lot and date information contained in official FDA or CDC recall notices. A product that does not match the recalled identifying information should not automatically be assumed to be part of the outbreak.
Anyone who has a recalled product should follow the disposal or return instructions issued by regulators and the manufacturer. Federal agencies may update case counts and product information as traceback, laboratory testing and interviews with patients continue.
