§112.144. What testing must I do during growing, harvesting, packing, and holding sprouts? — Inbound Citations

(c) You must conduct testing during growing, harvesting, packing, and holding sprouts, as specified in § 112.144.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, if you know or have reason to believe that a lot of seeds or beans may be contaminated with a pathogen (either because it has been associated with foodborne illness; or based on microbial test results, including a positive finding of a pathogen in tests required under § 112.144(b)), you must:

(1) Discontinue use of all seeds or beans from that lot for sprout production and ensure that sprouts grown from that lot of seeds or beans do not enter commerce; and

(2) Report the information (association with illness and/or findings of microbial testing) to the seed grower, distributor, supplier, or other entity from whom you received the seeds or beans.

All of the following requirements apply for collecting and testing samples of spent sprout irrigation water or sprouts for pathogens as required in § 112.144(b):

(b) In accordance with the written sampling plan required under paragraph (a) of this section, you must aseptically collect samples of spent sprout irrigation water or sprouts, and test the collected samples for pathogens using a method as set forth in § 112.153. You must not allow the production batch of sprouts to enter into commerce unless the results of the testing of spent sprout irrigation water or sprouts are negative for E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella species, and, if applicable, a pathogen meeting the criteria in § 112.144(c).

You 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):

(b) For any other pathogen(s) meeting the criteria in § 112.144(c), a scientifically valid method.