Doubts About Sprouts

FDA warns about eating them uncooked

(HealthDayNews) -- Cook your sprouts before you eat them.

Recent outbreaks of E coli and Salmonella bacterial infections associated with alfalfa sprouts has led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to recommend you steer clear of all raw sprouts. These bacteria cause nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever.

For people in high-risk categories -- children, the elderly and those with fragile immune systems -- the infections can result in kidney failure or death.

Before munching on sprouts, the FDA advises:

  • Cook them thoroughly.
  • Request they be left off your sandwich and salad orders at restaurants.
  • Even if you grow them in your own backyard, cook them first. Many outbreaks have been linked to contaminated seeds.

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