Raw sprouts are a popular topping for salads, and some people enjoy adding them to soups and sandwiches. More often than not, people eat them for their health benefits. After all, sprouts are a good source of cell protective antioxidants. On the down side, there are some risks to eating sprouts raw. Eating raw sprouts is a relatively common way to end up with food poisoning.
Eating Sprouts Raw: Does It Put You at Risk for Food Poisoning?
Sprouts grow in a humid environment that allows bacteria that cause food poisoning to grow and thrive. They can become contaminated through exposure to animal feces or contaminated water and are difficult to remove by washing because they hide in crevices and cracks.
Some of the common “bad bacteria” found in sprouts are E. Coli, Salmonella and Listeria. All of these bacteria can cause illness, but Listeria more commonly infects people with immune system problems and pregnant women. It’s less likely to cause a serious case of food poisoning in people who are healthy.
Salmonella and E. Coli can cause food poisoning in anyone, but serious infections are more common in the elderly, young children and people with a weakened immune system. Even in healthy people, they can cause unpleasant symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting and fever. People with immune problems can have a more serious complications such as damage to internal organs, especially the kidneys.
There have been a number of food poisoning cases over the last 15 years blamed on raw sprouts, and the Centers for Disease Control has issued warnings about the dangers of eating sprouts raw. Some of these cases of sprout-related food poisoning have been serious, and a small number have resulted death. The problem may be even greater than people realize since not all cases of food poisoning are reported especially when the symptoms are mild.
What Types of Raw Sprouts Are Unsafe?
There have been reports of food poisoning from eating all types of sprouts including clover, alfalfa, radish and bean sprouts. For this reason, it’s best for the elderly, young children, pregnant women and anyone with a disease that affect their immune system to avoid eating sprouts raw. Even a small amount of bacterial contamination with the wrong bacteria bacteria is enough to cause serious symptoms in a person with weakened immune system.
Preventing Food Poisoning When Eating Sprouts
It’s difficult to remove bacteria from sprouts by washing them in water. Soaking them in a dilute solution of vinegar is more effective than water alone but may not be 100% effective. It’s also possible to grow sprouts at home using special kits, but in some cases, the seeds themselves are contaminated with bacteria and can contaminate the sprouts. According to the FDA, soaking the seeds in a calcium hypochlorite solution for 15 minutes removes bacteria from the seeds.
Another solution is to cook sprouts before eating them. Cooking them thoroughly should destoy the bacteria that cause food poisoning. Beware of eating sprouts in restaurants where the sprouts may not have been properly prepared. Chinese restaurants commonly serve mung bean sprouts, which have been a source of food poisoning outbreaks in the past.
The Bottom Line?
Older people, pregnant women, young children and people with weakened immunity should avoid eating sprouts raw. Cook all sprouts thoroughly before adding them to salads or sandwiches. By doing this, you could avoid a serious case of food poisoning.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
References:
- Medscape.com. “Hold the Raw Sprouts, Please.” Accessed September 19, 2011 from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/748566
- NY Times.com. “CDC Issues Warnings About Raw Sprouts." Accessed September 19, 2011 from http://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/15/health/cdc-issues-warning-about-raw-sprouts.html
Kristie Leong - I'm a family physician interested in all aspects of traditional and alternative medicine, especially the use of nutrition to prevent ...
