FDA Recall Roundup and ongoing measles outbreak (2/9/2025)

What has been recalled? What is going on in Texas?

It appears that the communications pause is mostly lifted, but by request I will continue these updates for now.

Food and Drug Recall summary

Jack and the Green Sprouts Recalls Expired Alfalfa Sprouts Because of Possible Health Risk

Jack and the Green Sprouts, Inc. of River Falls, WI is recalling 5oz packages of Alfalfa sprouts that expired on 1/29/25 because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, 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.

The produce was sold in MN, WI and Iowa at grocery store and local Co-ops.

The product comes in a 5oz, clear plastic package marked with lot #687 UPC #763247198915 on the top.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this concern.

The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the State of MN which revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in expired 5oz package Alfalfa sprouts. Even though Jack and the Green Sprout’s tests from an independent lab had negative results confirmed on spent irrigation water & finished Product for the Alfalfa Lot #687 before release.

Out of an abundance of caution if consumers still have these expired 5oz packages of Alfalfa sprouts Lot #687 are urged to discard them. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 715-425-9495, 8:00-2:00, Monday thru Fridays.

Measles outbreak in rural county in West Texas is growing

Since January, Gaines County in west Texas has seen 14 confirmed cases, 6 suspected, and 2 children hospitalized with measles. All cases were individuals who were not vaccinated. It started with two cases in January likely due to international travel.

Roughly 1 in 5 kindergartners in that county during the 2023-2024 school year were not vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, which is one of the lowest rates in the country. In order for a population to have herd immunity, meaning that everyone is likely protected even if some are not immune, at least 95% of the population needs to have had the MMR vaccine.

This is the health alert from Texas Health and Human Services that people need to read. It includes instructions on what should be done for infants in that area.

General symptoms of a measles infection may include fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes and a rash of red spots.

About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the US who get measles will be hospitalized, according to the CDC. About 1 in every 20 children will develop pneumonia, and others may develop a dangerous swelling in the brain called encephalitis. Up to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles may die from respiratory and neurologic complications.

The MMR vaccine is given in two doses usually - once at 12-15 months old and again at 4-6 years old. Two doses confers roughly 97% protection against measles.

Not everyone is eligible to get a MMR vaccine because it is a live viral vaccine. That means that certain individuals who are immunocompromised cannot safely get vaccinated, so they rely on most of the population to get their vaccines to help them be protected.

Here are recommendations for MMR vaccines if you are an adult.

If you are not sure of your vaccination status, then please talk with your doctor. This information needs to get to as many people as possible so please share this post.

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