Opinion
If the latest sprout outbreak is ultimately traced to Jimmy John’s, as it has been linked, Jimmy John’s has a huge consumer relations campaign ahead of it.
After all, the sandwich chain can’t claim it didn’t know sprouts could make its customers sick.
About a year ago, Jimmy John’s recalled alfalfa sprouts after they sickened more than 100 of its diners, removed them from menus in several cities and switched from alfalfa to clover sprouts.
On Feb. 15, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention disclosed that 12 people, all female, had been infected with E. coli O26. Preliminary tests link the illnesses to raw clover sprouts from Jimmy John’s.
A year ago, an Oregon epidemiologist said clover sprouts were no safer than alfalfa and predicted a rise in clover sprout outbreaks if Jimmy John’s switched.
Unfortunately, he was right.
Last month, a rival chain, Jason’s Deli, announced it would drop sprouts from all 230 of its restaurants later this year in response to food safety concerns over the item. Wal-Mart reportedly dropped sprouts from its offerings nationwide late in 2010 because of food safety concerns.
Who can blame them?
It’s a shame when a commodity is unfairly tied to an outbreak and has to convince consumers it’s safe to eat again, like what happened to tomatoes in 2008.
That’s not the case with sprouts.
Companies that sell or serve them to consumers know the risks, and more every month are deciding the risk isn’t worth it.
Did The Packer get it right? Leave a comment and tell us your opinion.
|
ThePacker.com Home News Leadership Video Opinion Careers About Us Advertise |
Other Websites The Grower Produce Retailer Red Book Credit Services Produce Market Guide Greenbook |
©2012 Vance Publishing Corporation Terms of Use Privacy Policy Copyright 
|
Comments (3)
Leave a commentM E Hoffer
Report AbuseHow are these Sprouts, typically, grown?
Are these Growers utilizing 'Aquaculture'/'Soil-less Systems'?
And, is it known What? the vector, of the E. coli, is?
John
Report AbuseShouldn't the SUPPLIER of the sprouts also be named? How is it JJ's fault that the GROWER of the sprouts allowed them to become contaminated? BOTH the seed SUPPLIER and the GROWER need to be named. Anything else is a farce. Welcome to fascist america(with a little "a").
Chris Koger
Report AbuseJohn,
I agree totally. As in every outbreak/recall, The Packer tries to find the source of the product. Unfortunately, the CDC and Jimmy John's are not releasing that information. We've seen some speculation about the source in other media, but we're waiting on confirmation with a trusted source.
Chris Koger
News Editor