SA Health blames raw bean sprouts for surge in salmonella cases

SA Health has issued a public warning not to eat raw bean sprouts following a significant spike in the number of salmonella cases in the past fortnight.

Salmonella warning: Bean sprout contamination source unknown

• TOXIC SALAD: Prepacked greens lead to salmonella outbreak

SA Health has issued a public warning not to eat raw bean sprouts following a significant surge in the number of salmonella cases reported in South Australia in the past fortnight.

A statement from health authorities released on Thursday afternoon revealed that over the past 11 days there have been 108 salmonella saintpaul cases reported in SA.

More than 40 South Australians have been hospitalised with the salmonella saintpaul since late last year.

Usually, the state records just 15 to 20 cases each year.

Since the start of December, SA Health has been notified of 233 cases of this particular salmonella strain and of those, 43 people have been hospitalised.

SA Health chief public health officer Paddy Phillips said bean sprout seeds were sourced from Queensland and grown and packaged in SA factories.

“(We’re) doing forensic investigation of the factories to work out where in the processing the salmonella might be,” he said.

Mr Phillips said bean sprouts had not been recalled from supermarket shelves, but he advised consumers to cook all bean sprouts and avoid eating them raw.

The SA Health statement read: “Investigations by SA Health, in conjunction with local councils and food suppliers, at this stage indicate that bean sprouts eaten raw may be responsible for these increased numbers of salmonella saintpaul.

“All available epidemiological evidence is suggesting a link between the raw bean sprouts and increased cases.”

Mr Phillips said SA Health was first alerted of the salmonella link to bean sprouts this morning.

The latest salmonella scare comes after dozens of people across Australia were struck down with the salmonella anatum strain earlier this year from eating pre-packed leafy greens.

“We also want to alert food retailers such as restaurants and cafes not to serve raw bean sprouts until further notice,” he said.

“We are working closely with the producers, suppliers and handlers of the sprouts and are continuing to investigate.”

Salmonella infection symptoms include fever, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, headache, stomach cramps and nausea and vomiting.

Last year, there was a total of 1272 cases of salmonella (of all types) notified to SA Health.