Image by Hans from Pixabay
Several people fell sick after consuming Jack and the Green Sprouts products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the outbreak following the producer’s recall. But not a lot of information was published about the details of the outbreak, as the product was beyond expiration once the outbreak was discovered.
Additional illnesses may be connected to this outbreak.
Here’s what we know about the Jack and the Green Sprouts outbreak timeline and what to do if you became sick after eating these sprouts.
Jack and the Green Sprouts, of River Falls, Wisconsin initiated a product recall on October 4, 2024. This recall came after routine internal testing revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the 5-ounce packages of their Alfalfa sprouts.
Production of these products was suspended while the company investigated the source of the contamination.
The recall involved packages of their alfalfa sprouts and mixed packages of alfalfa and onion sprouts.
The affected product was packaged in clear plastic, 5-ounce containers bearing the name “Jack and the Bean Sprouts” and the type of sprout it contains.
Recalled product includes:
These products were sold at grocery stores and local Co-ops in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
At the time of the recall there were no reported illnesses or adverse reactions associated with the products.
Not long after, the FDA discovered listeriosis illnesses and began an investigation.
On October 23, 2024, the FDA published an announcement. A Listeria monocytogenes outbreak, designated as Reference #1268 investigation was initiated after several people fell sick with the same strain of bacteria in the same geographic area.
Based on laboratory data and epidemiologic traceback information, the FDA and CDC, along with state and local partners discovered that Jack and the Green Sprouts was the source of the outbreak.
Since a recall was already in effect and product was no longer available for purchase, an official outbreak report was not published.
Listeria monocytogenes is the bacteria responsible for listeriosis. It causes a serious infection and is often associated with contaminated food.
The CDC estimates around 1,600 people become sick with listeriosis each year. About 260 of those die from the illness.
Sprouts grow in a moist environment. The perfect environment for bacteria to grow and thrive. It doesn’t take much of the bacteria to grow to a larger contamination problem.
Listeria bacteria sometimes catch a ride on the seeds themselves. However, cross-contamination or passive transfer are also common way for Listeria to get into the sprouts.
Unfortunately, Listeria bacteria do not mind the cold. So unlike other bacterial pathogens, refrigerating sprouts after harvest does not slow down Listeria bacterial growth.
While anyone can become infected with Listeria, most normally healthy people do not become seriously ill. There are certain groups, however, that are more at risk of becoming sick or experiencing more severe illness.
High-risk groups include:
Listeria bacteria cause a complicated range of symptoms. These symptoms, like most bacterial infections, can cause either mild or severe illness.
Listeria infections can cause intestinal illness or potential system-wide problems if the bacteria leave the digestive system and attack other parts of the body.
A uniquely dangerous complication, however, affects those who are pregnant.
But first, lets talk about the typical intestinal illness people often experience when they first begin to feel sick.
Intestinal illness occurs when the bacteria affect the digestive system. This is one of the most common symptoms profiles of Listeria illness.
Common symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea beginning within 24 hours of consuming something contaminated with Listeria bacteria. These symptoms often resolve within three days.
Most people with intestinal Listeria illness do not require medical intervention or antibiotic treatment. Plenty of rest, fluids, and treating the symptoms is your best bet.
Intestinal Listeria illness can evolve to a more invasive illness.
Listeria bacteria cause invasive illness when they leave the digestive system and enter other parts of the body. Invasive differs from other bacterial illnesses in that it affects pregnant people and non-pregnant people in different ways. For both categories, invasive illness symptoms usually begin about two weeks after exposure.
While personal symptoms of invasive listeriosis are milder in pregnant people, the impact on the pregnancy poses potentially serious consequences. Someone who is pregnant and experiencing invasive listeriosis may have fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. However, listeriosis during pregnancy can lead to still birth, premature deliver, miscarriage, or life-threatening infection in the newborn.
Those who are not pregnant have a higher risk of serious illness or death. Invasive listeriosis in non-pregnant people often includes headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Some may also experience fever and/or muscle aches. This infection can be serious or even life-threatening. 1 in 20 nonpregnant people with invasive listeriosis will die from their illness.
People who are not pregnant often experience symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Fever and muscle aches are also possible symptoms. This type of illness can be serious and life-threatening. Most people with invasive listeriosis require medical treatment and often need hospitalization. 1 in 20 non-pregnant people with invasive listeriosis will die from their illness.
If you have fallen sick from eating Jack and the Green Sprouts products, you may be eligible for legal compensation.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has helped many families with cases just like yours help hold accountable those responsible for foodborne illness. If you have become sick after eating affected Jack and the Green Sprouts products, you should get advice. An experienced Listeria lawyer can help navigate you through the legal process to get the justice you deserve.
Call (833) 330-3663 or submit your information on the online submission form for a free, no obligation consultation to go over the details of your situation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
Both norovirus and hepatitis A virus contamination in berries has been a big problem in…
Foodborne risk for bird flu may be less of a risk than previously thought. But…
Two outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease in Orange County California have recently surfaced. One in the…
Concerns over Legionnaires’ disease in Baltimore grow as an inmate is diagnosed with the illness.…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing a new change to nutritional facts…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a request for information from two…