MDARD issues alert over Kuntry Gardens products that may be contaminated with raw sewage

Livingston Daily
·2 min read
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LANSING - The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is advising consumers not to eat any Kuntry Gardens produce or products containing produce from Kuntry Gardens, sold at Busch’s Fresh Food Market stores and Simply Fresh Market, among other places, because the products may be contaminated with raw, untreated human waste.

All product is expected to be labeled under the name Kuntry Gardens.

According to a MDARD press release, during a routine produce safety inspection, MDARD staff discovered Kuntry Gardens was using raw, untreated human waste on the fields where produce was grown for sale to local grocery stores and direct sale.

Use of raw, untreated, human waste for growing commodities intended for human food is a violation of the Michigan Food Law, PA 92 of 2000, as well as other state and federal laws and regulations, MDARD said.

No illnesses have been reported, however, MDARD is urging individuals experiencing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, fever, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, weakness, headache, or other symptoms of foodborne illness to seek medical advice.If not treated professionally, human waste and other body fluids can spread dangerous infectious diseases such as hepatitis A, Clostridium difficile, E coli, rotavirus and norovirus. Product may have been further distributed or sold at additional locations, but is known to have been sold at the following locations :

• Kuntry Gardens, 29910 R Drive South, Homer• Busch’s Fresh Food Market stores located in Ann Arbor, Brighton, Canton, Clinton, Dexter, Farmington Hills, Livonia, Novi, Pinckney, Plymouth-Northville, Rochester Hills, Saline, South Lyon, Tecumseh, and West Bloomfield • Simply Fresh Market, 7300 Grand River Road, Brighton• White Lotus, 7217 W. Liberty Road, Ann Arbor • Argus Farm Stop, 325 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor• Agricole Farm Stop, 118 N. Main St., Chelsea• Pure Pastures, 1192 Ann Arbor Road, Plymouth• Ypsi Coop, 312 N. River St., Ypsilanti• Greener Pastures Market, 21202 Pontiac Trail, South Lyon• Holiday Market, 520 S. Lilley Road, Canton• Cherry Capitol, Traverse City

Products include:

  • Green beans

  • Greens cabbage

  • Cucumbers

  • Eggplant

  • Onions: red and yellow

  • Peppers: green, red sweet peppers, poblano and lunchbox peppers

  • Squash: zucchini, acorn, butternut, spaghetti and yellow squash

  • Sweet potatoes

  • Tomatoes: heirloom, Roma, Sungold and vine.

Consumers are encouraged to contact the farm or facility where product was purchased for instruction on disposal and refund. If consumers have additional questions or concerns, they may contact MDARD at 800-292-3939, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: MDARD says products from Kuntry Gardens was grown with raw sewage