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Alfalfa Sprouts Linked to E. Coli, Salmonella Outbreak
At least 55 people have been infected across 15 states
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Key takeaways
- An outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts has caused 55 illnesses in 15 states.
- The FDA traced affected products to Calco and Everything Sprouts.
- Older adults face a higher risk of severe illness from salmonella and some E. coli complications.
An outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and salmonella linked to alfalfa sprouts has sickened 55 people in 15 states, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Forty-six people have been infected with E. coli, seven with salmonella and two with both bacteria, according to the FDA. Four people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.
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What to know about the outbreak
The affected alfalfa sprouts were grown by Everything Sprouts LLC of Minneapolis and sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brand names to retailers and food service customers. Consumers should not eat either brand of alfalfa sprouts, the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warn.
The FDA is working with Everything Sprouts and has recommended that the company conduct a recall, although the agency’s Aug. 21 notice does not say that one has been initiated. Regardless of the recall’s status, consumers should throw away the affected sprouts or return them to the place of purchase.
Of 34 people interviewed about what they ate before becoming sick, 76 percent reported eating alfalfa sprouts. Investigators also used evidence gathered from restaurants and grocery stores to trace the sprouts to Everything Sprouts, according to the FDA.
Illnesses began between May 31 and Aug. 8. Cases have been reported in Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin.
The FDA’s investigation is ongoing. The agency is working to determine whether additional products or companies may be connected to the outbreak and says it will update its advisory as more information becomes available.
Which alfalfa sprouts are affected?
The affected alfalfa sprouts were sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brand names to retailers and food-service customers. FDA trace-back evidence collected from restaurants and grocery stores identified sprouts distributed by the companies as a source of illness.
However, federal health officials have not identified the individual retailers, grocery stores or restaurants that received and sold the products. The available notices also do not provide package sizes, UPCs, lot codes or sell-by dates.
Retailers that repackaged Calco or Everything Sprouts alfalfa sprouts for individual sale should remove the products from the market and not sell them, the FDA says.
Consumers should check their refrigerators and freezers for alfalfa sprouts carrying either brand name. Do not eat the affected sprouts. Throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.
If you froze sprouts without their original packaging and cannot determine whether they are part of the affected products, the FDA recommends throwing them away.
Wash any items and surfaces that may have touched the sprouts with hot, soapy water or place them in a dishwasher. The FDA also advises carefully cleaning and sanitizing containers and surfaces to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
How the recall affects older adults
Adults 65 and older are among the groups more likely to experience severe illness from salmonella, along with children younger than 5 and people with weakened immune systems, according to the CDC. A serious infection may require medical treatment or hospitalization
An E. coli infection can also become serious. Some people develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, also known as HUS, a complication that can cause life-threatening kidney failure and require hospitalization
The FDA says some Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections may also lead to high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease or neurological problems.Because the outbreak involves two types of bacteria, symptoms and the time it takes for them to appear can vary. However, the CDC says to call your health care provider immediately if you have bloody diarrhea, diarrhea with a fever above 102°F, diarrhea lasting more than two days without improvement, vomiting that prevents keeping liquids down or signs of dehydration.
Symptoms of an E. coli infection
Most people infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, or STEC, experience:
- Severe stomach cramps
- Diarrhea, which is often bloody
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Fever
Symptoms can begin within a few days of eating contaminated food or as many as nine days later, according to the FDA. Most people recover without treatment within five to seven days, the CDC says.Some people may develop HUS and need to be hospitalized.
Symptoms of a salmonella infection
Common symptoms of salmonella include:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Stomach cramps
Symptoms generally begin 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Most people recover without treatment in four to seven days.
Some people, particularly adults 65 and older, young children and people with weakened immune systems, may develop more severe illness requiring medical care or hospitalization.
This article used AI tools to compile recall data. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
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