South Australians have been warned against eating alfalfa sprouts from an Adelaide business after salmonella poisoning made eight people ill within a month.

A range of products from Sunshine Sprouts have been recalled after eight people contracted salmonella in the past month, the state’s health organisation said on Sunday.

SA Health’s acting executive director, Dr Chris Lease, said 116 alfalfa sprout products had been sampled as two patients reported eating them, and results on Sunday showed salmonella present in three samples.

“A number of Sunshine Sprouts alfalfa sprouts products have already been voluntarily recalled and we are advising anyone who has purchased the affected products not to eat them, and to return them to the place of purchase for a refund or throw them away,” Lease said.

“In cases of salmonella, a common food source is not often identified, however testing of retail product confirmed its presence in a variety of alfalfa sprout products.

“We are working closely with the producer and suppliers while we continue to investigate.”

The products are sold at Coles, Foodland, IGA and greengrocers.

People can experience symptoms between six and 72 hours after exposure, including fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, cramps and headaches. These can last up to seven days.