Amalgamated Produce, Inc. Recalls Sprouts in the North Eastern United States Because

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- April 9, 2009 -- Amalgamated Produce, Inc. (API), Bridgeport, CT, announced a voluntary recall today of its Specialty Farms, Vermont Sprout House, Nature’s Promise and BroccoSprouts (noted as distributed by API, Bridgeport, CT) sprout items with sell by date codes of March 31 through April 27, 2009.

These sprouts are being recalled because they may have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). Lm is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

There have been no cases of Listeriosis reported to date in connection with these products and API is issuing this recall as a precaution.
Amalgamated Produce, Inc. voluntarily recalled these sprouts after laboratory analysis in a finished product sample collected by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets tested positive.

The following describes the products that are being recalled. All these products have a sell by date code from March 31 through April 27, 2009. All these items are net weight 4 ounces, with the noted exception of Nature’s Promise Organic Alfalfa 8 ounce.
Specialty Farms
Organic Alfalfa Sprouts
8192400052
Specialty Farms
Organic Sprout Salad
8192400024
Specialty Farms
Organic Spicy Sprouts
8192400058
Specialty Farms
Organic Clover Sprouts
8192400042
Specialty Farms
Lucky Clover Sprouts
8192400091
Specialty Farms
Broccoli Rabe Sprouts
8192400076
Vermont Sprout House
Organic Alfalfa Sprouts
2213601290
Vermont Sprout House
Organic Clover
2213601293
Vermont Sprout House
Organic Bean Mix
2213601180
Nature’s Promise
Organic Zesty Sprouts
8826703903
Nature’s Promise
Organic Alfalfa Spouts
8826704741
Nature’s Promise
Organic Alfalfa Sprouts (8 oz)
8826704102
Nature’s Promise
Organic Sprouts to Munch
8826704100
BroccoSprouts
Broccoli Sprouts
1509800025
BroccoSprouts Salad Blend
Broccoli, clover & radish
1509800026
BroccoSprouts Deli Blend
Broccoli, clover & mustard
1509800027
BroccoSprouts Organic
Broccoli Sprouts -- 100% organic
1509800118
BroccoSprouts Organic Deli Blend
100% organic broccoli, clover & mustard
1509800120
BroccoSprouts Organic Salad Blend
100% organic broccoli, clover & radish
1509800119
5 pound bulk alfalfa
Plastic bagged sprouts in a box with sticker identifying 5 pound bulk alfalfa, Julian dates 069 through 097

The above items are all in plastic containers, except for the Nature’s Promise 8 ounce organic alfalfa which is in a plastic bag.
Products have been distributed in the following states:

• NY, NJ, CT, RI, MA, NH, VT, ME, MD, PA & Delaware

API is currently in the process of determining exactly where this potential Lm contamination could be occurring in its facility and is immediately remedying the potential sources as they are identified. API hopes to return to full sprout production soon.

Consumers who have purchased this product are urged to return them to the point of purchase for refund and may contact API with questions at (800)358-3808 between the hours of 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. EST.