FDA sampling finds E. coli in 97% of fresh sprouts on the market exceeds raw-consumption standards
By the Food and Drug Administration
In recent years, for purposes such as health, beauty and body shaping, eating styles that rely on fresh plant foods and vegetable salads prepared from raw fruits and vegetables as fresh ingredients have become very popular among the public. Such products are often sold in convenience stores, fresh food supermarkets, hypermarkets and specialty organic food stores, and people can also buy fresh ingredients themselves and prepare them. However, if raw fruits and vegetables that have not been heat-treated or thoroughly washed retain pathogenic microorganisms, they may cause health hazards.
The Food and Drug Administration investigated 40 samples of non-ready-to-eat fresh sprout products sold on the market, such as pea shoots (pea sprouts), alfalfa sprouts and bean sprouts. The results showed that 39 samples had coliform bacteria exceeding 1100 MPN/g, 5 samples had Escherichia coli counts of 15~460 MPN/g, and 1 sample of pea sprouts, 3 samples of pea shoots and 2 samples of alfalfa sprouts had Staphylococcus aureus counts of 3.6~240 MPN/g. Among them, the Staphylococcus aureus isolated from 1 sample of alfalfa sprouts and 1 sample of pea shoots had the ability to produce enterotoxin.
Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria are often used to assess the hygienic condition of products, while Staphylococcus aureus is commonly found on the surface of human skin. In this survey, the coliform and Escherichia coli counts were on the high side, and Staphylococcus aureus was present, indicating that the products may have been contaminated by microorganisms from the environment or the human body during production, packaging or transport. They are not suitable for raw consumption and must be thoroughly washed before eating; otherwise, the risk of food poisoning may increase.
For fresh sprout products sold on the market whose outer packaging does not indicate that they are ready to eat, they should be thoroughly washed before consumption. If they are labeled as ready to eat, they should meet the requirements of the "Sanitation Standard for Ready-to-Eat Food" announced by this Administration. At present, most fresh sprout products sold on the market are beautifully packaged and come in diverse forms, and the consumer group is also trending upward. However, only a few are labeled "must be washed before consumption," which may lead consumers to overlook the washing step and eat them raw directly.
Because the stems and leaves of sprouts are small and thin and easily trap dirt, we call on businesses to strengthen the hygiene and safety of such products, and suggest adding the label "must be washed before consumption" to remind the public. We also advise consumers to be sure to wash them thoroughly or heat them before eating to prevent food poisoning.
