The summary of the findings:
- Prevalence of Salmonella in the finished product sprouts to be 0.21 percent.
- Prevalence of Salmonella in seeds (2.35%) and in spent irrigation water (0.54%)
- Prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in the finished product to be 1.28 percent.
- There was no significant difference in the prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes based on point in the production process.
- None of the samples tested positive for E. coli O157:H7
- Most of the positive samples at a small number of sprouting operations
Going forward, FDA "intends to conduct a study at establishments that grow, harvest, condition, pack/re-pack, and/or supply seeds and beans for sprouting to gain insights on production practices, sanitation methods and manufacturing processes and to help the establishments achieve compliance in the event that insanitary conditions are observed". "FDA also intends to inspect sprouting operations to ensure they are complying with the Produce Safety Rule and may continue to sample sprouts and the production environment"
FDA Release
https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/ComplianceEnforcement/Sampling/UCM566981.pdf
FY 2014 – 2016 Microbiological Sampling Assignment
Summary Report: Sprouts
Office of Compliance
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
August, 2017
https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/ComplianceEnforcement/Sampling/UCM566981.pdf
FY 2014 – 2016 Microbiological Sampling Assignment
Summary Report: Sprouts
Office of Compliance
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
August, 2017