A Minneapolis-based sprout grower has issued a voluntary recall of its alfalfa sprouts after federal health officials linked the products to a multistate outbreak of E. coli and salmonella that has sickened at least 55 people across 15 states.
Everything Sprouts, LLC announced the recall on Friday, August 21, pulling 5-ounce containers of alfalfa sprouts sold under both the Everything Sprouts and Calco brand names. The recalled products were distributed starting May 27 to third-party distributors and retail grocery stores in Minnesota and Wisconsin, according to the company’s notice. The outbreak was linked to alfalfa sprouts distributed by the Minneapolis company, which sold the sprouts to restaurants and grocery stores.
According to the FDA and CDC, 46 people have been infected with E. coli, seven with salmonella, and two with both pathogens (FDA) , with illness onset dates ranging from late May through early August. Of those interviewed about their symptoms, about three-quarters reported eating alfalfa sprouts beforehand. Four people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported so far.
Investigators traced the contamination back to Everything Sprouts after reviewing purchase records from affected restaurants and stores. The FDA began inspecting the company’s facility and collecting samples on August 19, and the investigation remains ongoing to determine whether other products or growers may also be involved.
One food safety attorney interviewed by NBC News noted that having two different pathogens in a single outbreak is unusual, and said sprouts are a common culprit because their seeds can harbor contaminants that are difficult to fully clean, especially when grown in warm water.
In its recall notice, Everything Sprouts stated it had not received any confirmed positive lab results from its own daily testing. Critics have pointed out that this claim is of limited reassurance, since the contaminated batches were likely already sold and consumed well before the company began testing, illnesses date back to late May, while the outbreak wasn’t publicly announced by Minnesota health officials until August 20.
The recall notice also did not name specific retailers, did not include a product photo, and left out any mention of the Calco brand, even though Calco-labeled sprouts were identified in the original outbreak notice.
Health officials are urging anyone with alfalfa sprouts from Everything Sprouts or Calco to throw them away immediately or return them to the place of purchase, rather than eating, serving, or reselling them. The CDC also recommends washing any surfaces, containers, or utensils that may have come into contact with the sprouts using hot, soapy water or a dishwasher.