Alfalfa Sprouts

- Requires no soil to grow
- Temperature must be cool to properly grow sprouts
- The emerge in approximately seven days
- Major state producer: California, South Dakota and Wisconsin
- Alfalfa sprouts have been linked to a number of food-borne disease outbreaks, including Salmonella and Escherichia coliFDA: Questions Keep Sprouting About Sprouts
- Often used for salads and sandwiches
- 1999 market for sprouts in the U.S. is approx. $250 millionFDA: Questions Keep Sprouting About Sprouts
- 1999 domestic production: 300,000 tons
- Biggest outbreak E. coli occurred in Japan in 1996; 9,000 people were effectedFDA: Questions Keep Sprouting About Sprouts
- Commonly used in Chinese cuisine

Alfalfa sprouts are plants cultivated for human consumption, feed for cattle and other livestock. The largest state growers of the crop are: California, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
On April 26, 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a warning that recommends consumers not eat raw alfalfa sprouts, because it has been linked to salmonella contamination.FDA: RAW ALFALFA SPROUTS LINKED TO SALMONELLA CONTAMINATION (April 26, 2009)
Nutritional Facts
- 1 cup of Alfalfa sprouts contains:
- Calories: 10
- Protein: 1.3 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Vitamin C: 5% of daily recommended
- Iron" 2% of daily recommended
- Folate: 3% of daily recommended
2009 Salmonella Outbreak

On April 26, 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and the FDA are advised people not to eat raw alfalfa sprouts due to at least 31 confirmed cases of people getting infected by Salmonella Saintpaul due to the consumption of the sprout. The cases have occurred in Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah and West Virginia.WebMD: FDA, CDC: Don't Eat Raw Alfalfa Sprouts Because... (April 27, 2009)

Alfalfa Sprouts Blogs
- Health is Wealth » Risks Of Eating Raw Or Lightly Cooked Sprouts
  
  I also like adding raw alfalfa sprouts to my bowl of veggie salad but have stopped eating raw alfalfa after reading an article on the dangers of eating raw sprouts. I found out recently that eating raw or lightly cooked... (November 25, 2009)
  healthiswealth.healthfreakmommy.com
- University of California - Science Today | Alfalfa sprouts hold ...
  
  Now, a University of California, Berkeley, study reports the first experimental creation of meanders in a flume - a scaled down representation of a natural channel using alfalfa sprouts to represent vegetated stream banks. ... (November 02, 2009)
  ucop.edu
- Consumers Beware: Raw Alfalfa Sprouts Linked to Salmonella Outbreak
  
  Federal health agencies are recommending consumers not eat raw alfalfa sprouts or sprout blends containing alfalfa until further notice because the.
  healthnews.com
- Luxury Reading: Mood-Boosting, Waist-Shrinking Lunch Ideas
  
  On one side, put 2 tablespoons mashed avocado, 1⁄4 cup alfalfa sprouts, 1 thin slice red onion, 1 teaspoon sesame seeds and 2 teaspoons low-fat ranch dressing, and top with 1 ounce grated, low-fat cheddar cheese. ... (November 25, 2009)
  luxuryreading.com
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Alfalfa Sprouts News
- Consumers get answers from Dept. of Agriculture
  
  Radishes may also be sown and eaten like alfalfa sprouts or bean sprouts. We have also seen recipes for radish leaf soup but have not tried any yet. ... (November 25, 2009)
  Lincolnton Journal
- Brandon Huigens, What Are You Eating?
  
  Least favorite food: Alfalfa sprouts, easy. I don't even honestly know if it was the sprouts, but I got incredibly sick on Sprouts Day in third grade. ... (November 24, 2009)
  Phoenix New Times
- Senate version of food-safety bill doesn't account for size
  
  "You're not going to regulate alfalfa sprouts in the same way that you regulate potatoes," he said. "They have different risk factors and different ... (November 25, 2009)
  Capital Press (subscription)
- Jimmy John's Gourmet SandwichesRuby's Korner RestaurantAugy's Restaurant & Pizza
  
  It's topped with alfalfa sprouts, lettuce, and sliced cucumbers and tomatoes. This light and refreshing wrap has great flavor. ... (November 23, 2009)
  Sun-Sentinel.com
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