The news that Danish authorities have withdrawn their negative consumption advice on raw sprouts has been welcomed by Freshfel Europe, with the association calling on the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and other member states to also reconsider their position on sprouts.
On the same day that Denmark altered its spout stance, German authorities allowed the organic farm located in Bienenbuttel, suspected to be the source of the German E.coli O104 outbreak, to resume its activities.
Following the E.coli outbreak in the Bordeaux region of France, which was preceded by a similar outbreak in Germany, several member states issued consumer guidance advising not to grow sprouts for their own consumption and not to eat certain sprouts unless cooked thoroughly.
Freshfel noted that, while consumers should not grow sprouts for their own consumption and specific provisions should apply for sprouted fenugreek seeds, consumer confidence in other sprouts 'should be restored'.
'Freshfel therefore calls on the European Food Safety Authority and member states which issued negative consumer advice on raw sprouts to reconsider, similar to Denmark, their position in line with the latest developments,' the group said. 'Freshfel and EU sprout producers have offered their full collaboration with regard to implementing further improvements in this specialised sector.'
Investigations so far into the E.coli outbreak have led to the conclusion that imported fenugreek seeds for sprouting are most probably the source of both outbreaks, although the pathway is yet to be determined.
As a result, recall procedures have been implemented to ensure that any remaining seeds from the same batches are withdrawn from the market, with import restrictions in place and an EU inspection mission expected to visit the seed suppliers.
Meanwhile, the EU sprout sector has taken various steps to reinforce existing good hygiene practices, particularly with regards to seeds, with an EU guide on good hygiene practices in the sector set to be introduced by the end of the summer.
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