Another sprout recall lacks traceability information

05/08/2012 3:47:29 PM
Coral Beach

Cleveland Beansprouts Co., Cleveland, has recalled alfalfa sprouts because of possible listeria contamination.

No lot codes or any other identifier are on the sprouts, which were distributed in Ohio, according to a company news release posted on the Food and Drug Administration’s website.

Calls to the Cleveland Beansprouts went directly to a voicemail system and were not immediately returned.

The notice is dated May 4, but it was not posted on the agency’s recall website until May 8.

The positive listeria test was discovered by officials from the Ohio Department of Agriculture who were conducting routine sampling for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Microbiological Data Program, according to the release.

It wasn’t immediately known how many packages of sprouts are involved.

A similar sprout recall that lacked lot codes or other traceable marking, also for a positive listeria test, was issued April 27 and expanded April 30 by Henry’s Farm Inc., Woodford, Va.

No illnesses were reported for the recalls.

Comments (3) Leave a comment 

Sounds to me like the sprout industry needs to do a better job labeling thier product so these samples can be properly traced and recalled! Thank goodness FDA is insisting the company recall and that the listeria was found!

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I agree that it's important to ensure food is safe however businesses have a right to manage the levels of risk that they are willing to take. If the company chooses not use batch codes, lot codes or best befores to track their product then they have no choice but to recall all their product. It is important to note that many businesses choose to use traceability to mitigate these risks to their brands and also do so to inspire confidence in their products. Again, a business choice. Sprouts are a high-risk product and they deserve more attention than most however the question should be asked is why didn't their internal testing identify the issue before the ODA detected it.

Allan