What actions must I take if the samples of spent sprout irrigation water or sprouts test positive for a pathogen?
21 C.F.R. § 112.148
in effectEffective: 2024-07-01You must, at a minimum, take the following actions if the samples of spent sprout irrigation water or sprouts test positive for E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella species, or a pathogen meeting the criteria in § 112.144(c):
(a) Take appropriate action to prevent any food that is adulterated under section 402 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act from entering into commerce;
(b) Take the steps required in § 112.142(b) with respect to the lot of seeds or beans used to grow the affected production batch of sprouts (except as allowed under § 112.142(c));
(c) Clean and sanitize the affected surfaces and surrounding areas; and
(d) Perform any other actions necessary to prevent reoccurrence of the contamination.
Source: eCFRURL: https://www.ecfr.gov/api/versioner/v1/full/2024-07-01/title-21.xmlFetched: 7/26/2026