SA warning over bean sprouts reissued

South Australian health authorities have reissued a warning over bean sprouts linked to a spike in Salmonella cases.

More than 270 cases of Salmonella Saintpaul have been confirmed in SA since December last year, with 47 people hospitalised.

SA usually has only 15 to 20 cases of the disease each year.

The rise was originally linked to machinery at sprout producer Star Tu and while the company was later given the all-clear, Salmonella has again been detected in sprouts taken from retailers.

SA Health spokesman Paddy Phillips says consumers are advised to throw out or return any sprouts they have.

A recall notice has also been issued for Star Tu sprouts sold both loose and in plastic bags along with sprouts sold by a separate packager, Sunshine Sprouts.

The sprouts have been sold through both major supermarkets and smaller grocers and have also been used by food service businesses such as restaurants and cafes.

Professor Phillips said while the machinery at the Star Tu plant was thoroughly cleaned and consumers were given the all-clear to resume eating sprouts, the discovery of Salmonella Saintpaul in retail samples on Wednesday had prompted the warning to be reinstated.

"Five sealed bags produced by Star Tu were contaminated with Salmonella and given this new evidence we have issued this factory with an order to recall and stop selling," he said.