Federal health officials announced Friday that Everything Sprouts, a Minnesota-based alfalfa sprout producer, has voluntarily recalled certain lots of its products after a multi-state outbreak of E. coli and salmonella sickened at least 55 people across 15 states.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that the outbreak involves 46 E. coli cases, 7 salmonella cases, and 2 co-infections, with four hospitalizations reported. No deaths have been linked to the outbreak. The illnesses were reported between May 31 and August 8, with the majority of cases concentrated in Minnesota (23 cases) and Wisconsin (18 cases). Other affected states include Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Washington.
Health officials identify alfalfa sprouts as the source of the outbreak, with 26 of 34 interviewed patients reporting consumption of alfalfa sprouts prior to illness. The recalled products were distributed under the Everything Sprouts and Calco brands and supplied to restaurants and grocery stores starting May 27. The recalled sprouts come in 5-ounce plastic containers with lids.
Everything Sprouts stated in a recall notice that it has conducted daily tests since the outbreak began and has not received any positive lab results for contamination. The company also noted that no illnesses have been reported to them directly. Despite this, health officials continue to warn consumers to avoid and discard any alfalfa sprouts from the affected brands.
Immediate Public Health Response
The CDC, FDA, and state health departments are coordinating an investigation to determine the source and scope of contamination. Minnesota and Wisconsin health officials have already issued public warnings, urging residents to check their refrigerators for recalled products and discard them immediately.
The outbreak is considered unusual because it involves multiple pathogens simultaneously—specifically, three strains of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and one strain of salmonella. Health experts note that STEC infections can lead to severe complications, including bloody diarrhea and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a condition that can cause kidney failure.
Regulatory and Industry Context
The FDA had previously cited Everything Sprouts for "serious violations" during an inspection in 2023, citing insanitary conditions such as roof leaks dripping onto produce, employee smocks touching contaminated surfaces, and black organic matter buildup on irrigation hoses. The company has not publicly addressed these past violations in relation to the current outbreak.
Food safety advocates highlight that alfalfa sprouts are particularly susceptible to contamination due to the difficulty in cleaning seeds thoroughly and the warm, moist growing conditions that can harbor bacteria. The outbreak follows a pattern of recent foodborne illness clusters in the U.S., including salmonella linked to jalapeño peppers and cyclosporiasis tied to iceberg lettuce.
What Consumers Should Do
Health officials recommend that consumers:
- Check refrigerators for alfalfa sprouts labeled Everything Sprouts or Calco.
- Do not eat any recalled sprouts and discard them immediately.
- Wash hands and surfaces thoroughly after handling raw produce.
- Monitor symptoms such as stomach cramps, diarrhea (including bloody diarrhea), fever, and vomiting, and seek medical attention if severe.
The investigation is ongoing, and health officials anticipate that the number of confirmed cases may rise as additional reports are investigated.