Your parents always told you to eat your vegetables if you want to stay strong and healthy, but this summer, you couldn’t be blamed for avoiding some of them.
First, it was the lettuce-linked Cyclosporiasis outbreak that turned people away from the nutritious food group.
Now, it’s an outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts that, if consumed, may give you not one but two pathogenic infections: E. coli and Salmonella.
Here’s what you need to know.
What’s happened?
Last weekend, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began warning the public about an ongoing outbreak investigation linked to alfalfa sprouts.
The sprouts are believed to be the source of a multistate outbreak of both E. coli and Salmonella infections, which have sickened dozens of individuals and required four to be hospitalized.
On August 22, the FDA published a recall notice for multiple alfalfa sprout products believed to be linked to the dual outbreak.
Those products are made by Everything Sprouts, LLC of Minneapolis. The company says the sprout products have “the potential to be contaminated with Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) or Salmonella bacteria.”
What products are being recalled?
According to the notice posted by the FDA, numerous products made by Everything Sprouts are included in the recall. Per the recall notice:
- “The Everything Sprouts and Calco branded Alfalfa Sprouts are packaged in individual 5oz plastic containers bearing the following bar codes: 860014523113, 860014523120 and 850079470149.”
- “The Alfalfa Sprout products subject to this recall include Alfalfa 6/5oz, Alfalfa 12/6/5oz packages with the following lot numbers: LOT #222, 223, 225, 226, 230.”
- “These same Alfalfa sprouts were also used in Everything Sprouts Crunchy Protein Sprout Mix 5oz cups, LOT# 222, 223, 226, 230 and the Zesty Garlic Mix cups, LOT# 222, 223, 225, 226, and 230.”
Product photos of the labels of the recalled items can be found on the recall notice.
Where were the recalled products sold?
According to the recall notice, the recalled products were distributed between May 27, 2026, and August 21, 2026 to wholesale distributors and to grocery stores in two states: Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Despite that limited distribution, illnesses seem to have spread beyond those two states. The recall notice does not name the specific grocery stores that sold the items.
How many people have been infected?
According to the CDC’s latest update, 55 individuals have become ill due to the outbreak so far. However, because this outbreak involves two pathogens, not everyone infected is sickened by the same pathogen.
The CDC says that so far, 46 people are known to have been infected with E. coli, while 7 individuals contracted a Salmonella.
But two unfortunate individuals are also known to have contracted both a Salmonella and E. Coli infection.
Four individuals have required hospitalization.
The CDC also stresses that these are only the known cases. The the actual number of people sickened from this outbreak may actually be much higher, as many people recover from both infections without seeking medical care.
Where is the outbreak happening?
Despite Everything Sprouts only distributing its affected products to Minnesota and Wisconsin, the outbreak isn’t limited to individuals in those two states.
The CDC says that cases linked to the outbreak have now been detected in 15 states. Unsurprisingly, Minnesota and Wisconsin have the highest number of reported cases, with 21 and 17, respectively.
But Florida, North Carolina, North Dakota, and New York each have 2 known cases, for a total of 8.
Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Washington each have a single case, for a total of 9.
An interactive map published by the CDC shows the latest case counts and spread.
What are the symptoms of E. coli and Salmonella?
Since this outbreak involves two pathogens, an infected individual may experience a range of different symptoms.
The CDC says that symptoms of an E. Coli infection usually include:
- Diarrhea that can be bloody or watery
- Stomach cramps that can be severe
- Vomiting
- Low fever
The agency says that when it comes to Salmonella, symptoms can include:
- Watery diarrhea that might have blood or mucus
- Stomach cramps that can be severe
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
What can I do to stay safe?
According ot the recall notice posted by the FDA, those who believe they may have the recalled products should not consume them.
Instead, the recalled products should be disposed of immediately.
Consumers are also advised to diligently clean and sanitize any surfaces, including containers, that the recalled products may have come into contact with.