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As of Oct. 1, health officials had recorded 76 infections across 16 states involving outbreak strains of E. coli and Salmonella Agona associated in part with alfalfa sprouts from Everything Sprouts LLC. Six people have been hospitalized, with no deaths reported. Investigators say the sprouts do not explain all the illnesses, and the investigation is continuing.
The sprout-linked E. coli and Salmonella outbreak has grown to 76 confirmed patients across 16 states, according to Food and Drug Administration figures as of Oct. 1. Six people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported; investigators say alfalfa sprouts from Minneapolis-based Everything Sprouts LLC are one source of illnesses, but do not account for every case.
The reported infections involve multiple E. coli strains—O26:H11, O103:H25 and O168:H8—as well as Salmonella Agona. Health officials report 64 people with E. coli, nine with Salmonella and three infected with both. The illnesses began between May 31 and Sept. 7, according to the outbreak summary.
Patients have been reported in Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin. State and local health officials are interviewing people about what they ate during the week before becoming ill. Of 50 people interviewed, 40 said they had eaten sprouts; 35 specifically reported eating alfalfa sprouts.
The FDA says epidemiologic and traceback evidence links alfalfa sprouts grown by Everything Sprouts to some of the illnesses. On Aug. 22, the company recalled certain alfalfa sprouts sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands, as well as Robust Radish, Crunchy Protein Sprout and Zesty Garlic mixes. The provided report does not specify product lot numbers or whether recalled products remain available for sale.
Why Sprout Traceback Matters
The outbreak involves two kinds of bacteria, and some patients tested positive for more than one outbreak strain. This makes the investigation more complex than tracing a single pathogen through one product line. The FDA’s finding that Everything Sprouts products are one source, but not an explanation for all cases, means investigators are still working to identify other possible routes or products linked to the illnesses.
Sprouts can carry foodborne pathogens, and contaminated food may not look, smell or taste spoiled, according to the report. The health effects can be serious: the six reported hospitalizations show that some patients have needed inpatient care, though officials have reported no deaths. People who ate a product under investigation and develop symptoms should contact a health professional and mention the possible exposure, the report advises.
The official count may not capture every infection. The report cites CDC estimates that for every Salmonella case identified in an outbreak, 29 may go undetected, and for each identified E. coli case, 26 may go undetected. Those figures describe estimated undercounting, not a case total for this outbreak; the number of people actually affected remains unknown.
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From Initial Alert to Seed Recall
The FDA first reported the outbreak on Aug. 21, when 55 patients had been identified. The next day, Everything Sprouts initiated recalls covering specified sprouts and mixes. The Oct. 1 update increased the reported count to 76 and listed patients in 16 states.
A separate recall followed on Sept. 23. Berlin Seeds of Millersburg, Ohio, recalled 950 pounds of alfalfa sprouting seeds after its seed supplier notified the company that the seed could be contaminated with STEC, a group of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, and/or Salmonella. The report says seed lot SAL2-24JB had been identified through traceback as seed used by another sprout grower whose finished products were included in the FDA investigation. The FDA has not named the supplier.
The seed recall adds a supply-chain lead, but the report does not establish that the recalled seed caused every illness or that it was used by Everything Sprouts. The FDA’s account distinguishes the implicated grower’s products from the broader investigation and says those products do not explain all reported cases.
““Alfalfa sprouts grown by Everything Sprouts LLC is one of the sources of illnesses in this outbreak.””
— The Food and Drug Administration
Unresolved Cases and Supply Links
The total number of illnesses and their full sources remain unknown. The FDA says the implicated sprouts do not explain all cases, and the report does not identify any additional products or growers responsible. It also does not say which state was newly added in the latest update, so the state-by-state change cannot be confirmed from the available details.
It is also unclear whether the seed identified in the traceback is connected to all, some or none of the illnesses associated with Everything Sprouts. The FDA has not named the seed supplier, and the report gives no further detail on distribution of the recalled seed or the status of the recalled retail products. The patient figures are a snapshot as of Oct. 1 and may change as testing and interviews continue.
Further Testing and Case Updates
State and local public health officials are continuing patient interviews, while the FDA investigates product and seed supply chains. Additional laboratory results, traceback findings or interviews could add cases, identify other products or clarify whether the seed recall is connected to more illnesses.
People who become ill after eating a product named in the investigation should seek medical advice and tell their clinician about the possible food exposure, according to the report. E. coli and Salmonella can require specific testing for diagnosis. Severe symptoms—including bloody diarrhea or signs associated with kidney complications—warrant prompt medical attention. The next public update may clarify the outbreak’s scope, but no date for a further update is given in the source material.
Key Questions
How many people have been reported sick?
The FDA’s figures as of Oct. 1 list 76 confirmed patients across 16 states. The report cautions that the true number may be higher because some people do not seek care or are not tested.
Which products were recalled?
Everything Sprouts recalled certain alfalfa sprouts sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands, along with Robust Radish, Crunchy Protein Sprout and Zesty Garlic mixes. Berlin Seeds separately recalled 950 pounds of alfalfa sprouting seed. The source does not provide consumer lot details.
Which bacteria are involved?
The outbreak includes three reported E. coli strains—O26:H11, O103:H25 and O168:H8—and Salmonella Agona. Three patients were reported infected with both Salmonella and E. coli.
Have any deaths been reported?
No deaths had been reported in the figures cited as of Oct. 1. Six patients had been hospitalized.
Does the seed recall explain the outbreak?
Not based on the information available. The FDA says Everything Sprouts alfalfa sprouts are one source but do not explain all illnesses. The seed recall is a traceback lead; the report does not establish that the seed caused every case or link it to all implicated products.
Source: rss
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