Avoid raw alfalfa sprouts due to salmonella risk

updated 1:32 p.m. ET April 27, 2009

WASHINGTON - Government health officials are telling people to avoid eating raw alfalfa sprouts, because they could be contaminated with a strain of salmonella.

Officials have received 31 reports of illness associated with eating raw alfalfa sprouts in Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah and West Virginia.

The Food and Drug Administration reports that the contaminated sprouts were grown in multiple states. This raises suspicion that the problem stems from the seeds for the plants.

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