Another sprout question

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I have heard something about sprouts and e-coli. Can't remember, but was there something extra bad about sprouts, unlike lettuce or raw broccoli? Sprouts seem like the perfect solution for winter salad enhancement or for times of no fresh veggies.

-- Dooda (herethere@every.where), January 27, 2000

Answers

Well, it's not a major crisis or anything but there is reason to be concerned about the bacteriological safety of uncooked sprouts. The International Sprout Growers Association has directions on how to grow sprouts on their web pages that includes a disinfection step.

For just my wife and myself, both of us with healthy immune systems I wouldn't bother but when the time comes for my infant daughter to try them we certainly will. I'd disinfect any seeds to be sprouted and eaten raw by infants, the elderly and anyone with a compromised immune system. This isn't alarmism, it's recommended by the FDA and the Sprout Growers Association both and from the research I've done on the subject I agree with them.

Here's the URL for the Sprout Growers disinfection instructions:

http://www.isga-sprouts.org/grow.htm

..........Alan.

The Providence Cooperative - A great source of preparedness information

http://www.providenceco-op.com

-- A.T. Hagan (athagan@netscape.net), January 28, 2000.


Thanks much!

-- Dooda (here@there.com), January 30, 2000.

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