FDA WARNING_LETTER - Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, LLC - July 01, 2011

On June 22-29 and July 1, 2011, the FDA inspected Evergreen Produce's sprout growing facility in Moyie Springs, Idaho, following a *Salmonella* Enteritidis outbreak linked to their alfalfa and spicy sprouts, which sickened approximately 25 people in five states. Although FDA's samples did not yield *Salmonella*, the inspection revealed insanitary conditions, rendering the sprouts adulterated under Section 402(a)(4) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Violations included: 1. **Employee Cross-Contamination:** Employees handled hoist controls and worked with sprouts without washing/sanitizing/changing gloves, left the production area without removing gloves/aprons and returned to work with sprouts without sanitizing/changing them, and donned an apron that touched the floor without sanitizing it before working with sprouts. 2. **Sprout Cross-Contamination:** Unclean waterlines with mold/algae growth dripped condensate onto sprouts; dirt/condensate build-up on waterlines; dirt/sprout residue on ceilings above tanks; dirty fan guards blowing onto sprouts; dirty/dusty cooling blower unit in the delivery truck; and pools of standing water on floors from inoperable drains, through which employees walked. 3. **Insanitary Food Contact Surfaces:** Residues of bean sprouts/seed hulls in "cleaned" harvester equipment and