Saving Ceramic Filters?

After unpacking a Pro-Pur countertop gravity water filter, I discovered some kind of growth over the ceramic filters. It looked like plant roots. Now I don't know if they are any good!

They are expensive to replace and I wondered if there is a way to clean them?

I should add that I'd already used the filters and system... it wasn't new out of the package... but had been stored away for over a year after using it... Tweet