Organic sprouts recalled

Date:  23 February 2011

Salmonella found on organic vegetables in Rickmansworth Waitrose led to the supplier having to recall batches of its products in the UK. During an inspection by Three Rivers District Council environmental health experts last week, a positive result for salmonella was found on Aconbury Sprouts Ltd's organic sprouts.

The company voluntarily recalled the products as a precaution after laboratory examination by the Health Protection Agency. Batches of Organic Mixed Sprouts and Organic Rainbow Salad with use-by-dates of February 19 were affected.

Three Rivers' commercial standards manager, John Scott, said that Waitrose itself scored highly at its most recent environmental health inspection.

He added: “The sprouts may have become contaminated during production at a plant in Herefordshire and were labelled as ready to eat, after washing.

“Last autumn salmonella on mung beanspouts caused an outbreak affecting 90 people in England and Scotland, which is why we carried out a survey.” 

See the hygiene Scores on the Doors for food outlets in Three Rivers...