Jimmy John's to keep sprouts on menu

Jimmy John's has decided to keep alfalfa sprouts on its menu after the Illinois Department of Public Health announced 46 reports of salmonella poisoning from people who ate sandwiches containing sprouts from the restaurant chain.

“At this point, there have been no official warnings to remove sprouts from our menus, which we hope doesn't happen as sprouts rock!” according to a Jimmy John's written statement.

The restaurant is working with the Illinois Department of Public Health as it investigates the source of the 46 illnesses, which were reported to the department since Nov. 1, according to the statement.

The reports have come from residents of Cook, McHenry, Will, Kankakee, Champaign, Peoria, Adams, McLean and Winnebago counties, according to the health department.

The department has been in contact with Jimmy John's and informed them of the reports of salmonella, said Melaney Arnold, a department spokeswoman.

“At this time, it remains Jimmy John's decision to stop using alfalfa sprouts,” she said in an e-mail.

Four sandwiches at Jimmy John's include alfalfa sprouts, according to a menu posted on the restaurant chain's website.

“We will continue to stay in close contact with the appropriate authorities as they complete their testing,” according to Jimmy John's statement.

Symptoms of salmonella exposure include diarrhea, vomiting, fever and stomach cramps, and typically develop within six to 72 hours after contact with the bacteria.