New warning issued against mung bean sprouts

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is again warning consumers in Ontario and parts of Quebec to avoid eating mung bean sprouts distributed by Toronto Sun Wah Trading Inc., also known as Hollend Enterprises, because they may be contaminated with salmonella.

"We are working to remove the affected product from the marketplace," CFIA food safety and recall officer Davendra Sharma told CTV.ca, but he would not comment on what led the agency to issue the warning.

In an advisory released Saturday, the government agency warned that the sprouts have been distributed in Ontario and may also have been distributed in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue area of Quebec.

The sprouts are sold in packages of various weights and may also be packaged under various store names or without the Sun Wah name.

"This alert is a part of an on-going investigation," the CFIA said in the written statement.

"Although the exact source of contamination has not been confirmed, there is sufficient risk of contamination to warrant this alert."

About a month ago, at least 379 people had been confirmed with salmonella poisoning from contaminated bean sprouts.