Salmonella outbreak in US leaves 63 sick, linked to Wonton Foods sprouts

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported Friday that at least 63 people  in 10 states have been sickened in a multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to bean sprouts.

The outbreak strains of Salmonella Enteritidis have been reported from 10 states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. An estimated 26 percent of victims have been hospitalized, according to CDC's outbreak report. No deaths have been reported.

Health authorities say results from this ongoing investigation indicate that bean sprouts produced by Wonton Foods, Inc. of Brooklyn, New York  are the likely source of this outbreak. As of Friday, Wonton Foods has verbally agreed to voluntarily stop the production and sale of their bean sprouts.

In Vermont, three residents tested positive with the salmonella infection according to the Vermont Department of Health. The health department released a statement saying, "The investigation by state and federal partners is still underway," according to a department release. "But consumers should avoid eating bean sprouts grown and sold by Wonton Food, Inc. Restaurants and grocery stores have been advised not to server or sell bean sprouts from this firm."

CDC recommends that restaurants and other retailers do not sell or serve bean sprouts produced by Wonton Foods, Inc. at this time. In addition, CDC recommends that consumers do not eat bean sprouts produced by Wonton Foods, Inc. at this time.

The firm said its last bean sprout shipment was Nov. 18. On Nov. 21 after being notified of the outbreak, the firm stopped production and sale of its bean sprouts and is taking steps to prevent further Salmonella contamination.