Personal Injury Law

Jimmy John's switches from Alfalfa Sprouts to Clover Sprouts - Why?

By Bill Marler, Esq.

According to one of my favorite online Ag magazines – The Packer - In response to a December outbreak of salmonella in the Midwest, Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches is dropping alfalfa sprouts from its menu in favor of clover sprouts — despite clover sprouts being the focus of another recall of sprouts at one of the restaurants in Oregon.

'We are making the switch immediately in our corporate-owned stores and recommending all franchisees make the switch too because we believe it may decrease the chance for contamination,' chain founder Jimmy John Liautaud said Jan. 10 in a news release.

The Midwest outbreak sickened 94 (actually over 100), most in Illinois, and was linked by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to Tiny Greens alfalfa sprouts eaten at Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches outlets. Urbana, Ill.-based Tiny Greens Organic Farm issued a recall Dec. 29.

Clover sprouts then became the focus of attention during a separate salmonella outbreak in Washington and Oregon. Kent, Wash.-based Sprouters Northwest voluntarily recalled clover sprouts and mixes Jan. 3 after health officials confirmed seven cases in the two states. Two of the seven reported eating clover sprouts at a Jimmy John's in Bend, Ore.

We filed suit against Jimmy Johns and Tiny Greens in Illinois and will file suit against Sprouters Northwest this morning in Washington.

Full post as published by Marler Blog on January 11, 2011 (boomark / email).