Bean Sprout Recall Includes Columbia-Distributed Foods

Were bean sprouts on your Thanksgiving menu? Check the labels, because Henry’s Farm recalled three types of sprouts, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported Wednesday.

The following sprouts, distributed to stores in Maryland and Virginia, may contain Listeria monocytogenes, according to the FDA, which reports one was from a Columbia distributor:

• Bean Sprouts: clear 2-pound packages; label says “distributed by Rhee Bros. Inc. Columbia, MD.”
• Natto Soybean Sprouts: clear 1-pound packages; label says “produced by Henry’s Farm Inc.”
• Soy Bean Sprouts—bulk packages (approximately 10 pounds) in black plastic bags; label says “produced by Henry’s Farm Inc.”

Those who have purchased any of the sprouts listed above should return them to the place of purchase for a refund, according to the recall notice. They may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause “serious and sometimes fatal infections to individuals with weakened immune systems,” according to the report released by the FDA.

For women who are pregnant, Listeria infections may lead to miscarriages and stillbirth, according to the recall notice.

Healthy individuals may experience abdominal pain, high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea and high fever, the report said.

No illnesses have been reported so far, according to the report.

Symptoms may take 70 days to present themselves, according to Food Safety Bulletin.

This was the second Listeria recall from Henry’s Farm; in 2012, the FDA issued a warning letter to the company because the bacteria was found in its soybean sprouts.

Virginia officials discovered the presence of Listeria monocytogenes during testing.

Those with questions may contact Henry’s Farm at 301-802-2996 or the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Food Safety and Security Program, at 804-786-3520.

Photo Credit: Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.