Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon Health officials warned consumers Friday not to eat a certain brand of alfalfa sprouts. Kristian Foden-Vencil reports.

So far, 23 people in 10 states, have suffered Salmonella poisioning associated with the sprouts.

Authorities have instituted a nationwide recall of sprouts produced by 'Caldwell Fresh Foods' of California. Four people, including an infant in Portland, have been hospitalized.

Dr. Bill Keene of the Oregon Public Health Division says they've spent the last week tracking the salmonella problem down.

Bill Keene: "I certainly wouldn't want to get it. It can be very serious. It can be deadly. We see in outbreaks of this kind that 15 to 25 percent of people are hospitalized."

Sprouts are a problem because the manufacturing process involves putting seeds in a warm moist incubator. That makes for fast plant growth, but it also speeds the growth of any bacteria present.