SPRINGFIELD, ILL. -- UPDATE: December 28 at 8:58 a.m.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising the public not to eat alfalfa sprouts produced by the Tiny Greens Organic Farm in Urbana, Ill., because of possible salmonella contamination.
The warning issued Monday evening also includes a mix called Spicy Sprouts, which also contains radish and clover sprouts.
The sprouts were distributed ito various customers, including farmers' markets, restaurants and groceries, in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and possibly other Midwestern states.
The FDA says preliminary results of the investigation of a multistate outbreak of salmonella infections indicate a link to Tiny Greens alfalfa sprouts served in sandwiches at Jimmy John's restaurants.
But Tiny Greens owner Bill Bagby Jr. says not one sample of his product taken by health authorities has come back positive for salmonella contamination.
Just a reminder, Quincy's Jimmy John's restaurant is no longer serving alfalfa sprouts on it's sandwiches even though all tests from his supplier came back negative for salmonella.
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UPDATE: December 22 at 4:11 p.m.
Here's a KHQA Safe Family Health announcement.
Quincy's Jimmy John's restaurant is no longer serving alfalfa sprouts on its sandwiches.
The owner of Champaign-based shops told franchises in Illinois to pull sprouts from menus after a salmonella outbreak sickened dozens.
The chain's restaurants and main sprout supplier have tested negative for the bacteria.
Jimmy John's is pulling sprouts as a precaution until the state health department investigation is completed.
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UPDATE: December 20 at 5:15 p.m.
Illinois health officials continue to investigate a salmonella outbreak that's made about 50 ill in nine counties.
Many of those people reported eating alfalfa sprouts at Jimmy John's restaurants.
We spoke to the owner of the Jimmy John's in Quincy who says the health department has not found any problems with its alfalfa sprouts.
Owner Tim Eaton told KHQA there have not been any reported cases from his restaurant .
He also showed us a letter from his supplier saying several tests have come back negative, showing no salmonella in the farm's products.
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The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), working in conjunction with local health departments and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is investigating a salmonella outbreak (Serotype I 4,5,12,i-).
Many people who have become ill reported eating alfalfa sprouts at Jimmy John’s restaurants in nine counties in Illinois - Adams, Champaign, Cook, Kankakee, McHenry, McLean, Peoria, Will and Winnebago.
The Department has received reports of 46 Illinois resident becoming ill with this serotype of salmonella since November 1, 2010.
In the course of this ongoing investigation, the Department is investigating alfalfa sprout producers and suppliers.
Produce testing for salmonella is ongoing.
If you have eaten alfalfa sprouts and become ill with diarrhea and fever, call your physician and your local health department.
Symptoms of salmonellosis (illness caused by salmonella bacteria) include diarrhea, vomiting, fever and/or stomach cramps.
Illness usually develops within six to 72 hours after being exposed to salmonella bacteria and generally lasts three to seven days.
Some individuals who are infected may have no symptoms at all but may still transmit the salmonella bacteria to others.
The spread of salmonella from person to person may be avoided by careful hand washing with soap and water, particularly after using the restroom.
For more information about Salmonellosis, log onto http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbsam.htm.
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