|  | Family Health | Babies Health

Can Babies Eat Bean Sprouts?

Bean sprouts are the tender, edible shoots of germinated beans. They are a common ingredient in salads, sandwiches and stir-fry dishes.

  1. Bacteria

    • Although bean sprouts are rich in nutrition, they are also easy targets for bacteria growth. Each year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports cases of salmonella poisoning linked to consumption of sprouts. In February 2008, for example, 228 cases of sprout-related salmonella were reported in 13 states.

    Government Warnings

    • Since 1999, the FDA, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recommended that people at high risk of bacterial infection avoid eating sprouts of any kind.

    Most Vulnerable

    • According to the FDA, the USDA and the CDC, those with the highest risk of bacterial infection include the elderly, people with compromised immune systems, pregnant women and young children, including infants.

    Raw vs. Cooked Sprouts

    • While it is recommended that vulnerable population groups avoid eating sprouts in any form, the warning applies in particular to the consumption of raw sprouts. If sprouts are cooked thoroughly, the risk of bacterial infection is reduced.

    Non-Vulnerable Populations

    • Healthy adults who are not pregnant and have strong immune systems are in a much lower risk category when it comes to eating sprouts. However, health agencies still advise consumers to wash sprouts carefully and to cook them rather than eat them raw.

Babies Health - Related Articles