The United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) published Chang Farm’s recall of their Mung Bean Sprouts on the first Friday of May, 2023. The Whatley, Massachusetts-based company, Chang Farm, shared their decision to recall the Mung Bean Sprouts after a routine testing by Markets Food Safety and Inspection and the New York State Department of Agriculture revealed the presence of Listeria Monocytogenes in the product.
Chang Farm has recalled all of their Mung Bean Sprouts 12 oz. retail and 10 lb. bags. Both were reportedly packaged on April 23rd, 2023, with the Sell By Date of May 7th, 2023. The now-recalled Mung Bean Sprouts were distributed to retailers in the states of NY, MA, CT and NJ on April 24th, 2023.
According to one National Food Poisoning Lawyer, Tony Coveny, Ph.D., Bean sprouts, and other sprouts, are one of the most notorious products for carrying food born pathogens. This is in large part because (1) they are eaten raw; (2) they are grown close to the ground in moist environments; and (3) because they are very difficult to clean. As such, many restaurants have opted not to sell food with sprouts.”
Listeria Especially Dangerous to Pregnant Women
Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The disease affects primarily persons of advanced age, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems. However, persons without these risk factors can also be affected. A person with listeriosis often suffers from a fever, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions can occur. Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness; however, infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth, premature delivery, or infection of the newborn. Individuals who experience these symptoms, particularly after consumption of the following recalled products, should contact a health care provider promptly, as well as alert public health safety officials.
While no individuals have reported Listeriosis infection from consuming Mung Bean Sprouts as of May 10th, 2023, the United States Food & Drug Administration has instructed “… All retail stores and wholesalers who have this lot in MA, CT, NY and NJ should remove this product from their shelves. Consumers should not consume the products and should discard this product or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.” For more information about the recalled Mung Bean Sprouts, individuals can contact Chang Farm at 413-522-0234 or 413-222-5519.
