Jimmy John’s Sprouts Linked to 5 Wisconsin Salmonella Cases

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is reporting that five cases of salmonella poisoning in Wisconsin are linked to sprouts served at local Jimmy John’s restaurants in Wisconsin.

Health officials say these cases involve people who reported eating sprouts at a Jimmy John’s restaurant location around the state during mid-to-late December. Jimmy Johns officials say they’re cooperating with health officials and have pulled sprouts off the menu.

“We have voluntarily directed all franchisees to remove sprouts as a precautionary measure from all supply and distribution,” James North, Jimmy John’s President and CEO said in a prepared statement.

In addition, people diagnosed with the outbreak strain in other states have also reported eating sprouts at Jimmy John’s restaurant locations.

Officials are working to identify the source of sprouts supplied to the restaurants where people ate prior to becoming ill and if the product was distributed to other locations.

To reduce the risk of becoming ill, DHS has requested that Jimmy John’s locations in Wisconsin remove sprouts from their menu until the investigation is completed and advises that consumer not eat sprouts from Jimmy John’s.

According to company officials, Jimmy John’s made the decision to remove all sprouts after an investigation this week indicated that sprouts purchased from two growers in Minnesota, originating from two common seed sub-lots, could be linked to seven food safety complaints received over a one-week period in December in Illinois and Wisconsin.

“Food safety and the welfare of our customers are our top priorities and not negotiable in our business,” North said in a prepared statement.

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