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As of Oct. 1, the FDA had recorded 76 people in 16 states infected with outbreak strains of E. coli, Salmonella Agona, or both. Alfalfa sprouts from Minneapolis-based Everything Sprouts are one identified source, but officials say they do not account for all illnesses. Six people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.
The FDA reported 76 people sickened across 16 states by outbreak strains of E. coli and Salmonella Agona associated with alfalfa sprouts, as of Oct. 1. Six people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported; officials say sprouts grown by Minneapolis-based Everything Sprouts LLC are one source, but do not explain every illness.
The illnesses involve multiple E. coli serotypes—O26:H11, O103:H25 and O168:H8—as well as Salmonella Agona. FDA’s count includes 64 people with E. coli, nine with Salmonella and three infected with both. The overlap means the totals for each pathogen add to more than the number of individual patients. Illness onset dates range from May 31 through Sept. 7.
The 16 states are 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 patients about foods eaten in the week before illness. Among 50 people interviewed so far, 40 reported eating sprouts, and 35 specifically said they ate alfalfa sprouts.
The FDA says epidemiologic and traceback evidence connects alfalfa sprouts grown by Everything Sprouts to illnesses. On Aug. 22, the company recalled certain alfalfa sprouts sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands, as well as Robust Radish mix, Crunchy Protein Sprout mix and Zesty Garlic mix. On Sept. 23, Berlin Seeds of Millersburg, Ohio, recalled 950 pounds of alfalfa sprouting seeds after its supplier notified it that seed lot SAL2-24JB had been traced to another grower whose finished sprouts were part of the FDA investigation. The FDA has not identified that supplier.
Why the Sprout Link Matters
The case count combines infections from two different pathogens, and some patients tested positive for both. That makes the investigation more complex than one focused on a single organism or product. The FDA’s finding that Everything Sprouts products are one source, but not an explanation for all cases, also means consumers and investigators should not assume the recalled products account for the full outbreak.
Sprouts are commonly eaten raw or lightly cooked, so there may be no cooking step to kill harmful bacteria before consumption. The FDA’s investigation and the seed recall matter because they point to more than one possible stage in the supply chain. People who believe they ate an implicated product and become ill should contact a health care provider and mention the possible exposure, since specific testing may be needed to identify either infection.
The official count is not a measure of every infection. Food Safety News, citing CDC estimates, reports that for every Salmonella case identified in an outbreak, 29 may go undetected, and for every identified E. coli case, 26 may go undetected. These are general estimates, not a calculation of the actual number of people sickened in this outbreak; the number of additional cases remains unknown.
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How the Investigation Expanded
The FDA first reported the outbreak on Aug. 21, when 55 patients had been identified. The company’s recall followed the next day. The Oct. 1 update raised the reported count to 76 and included illnesses across 16 states. The article describes another state being added but does not identify which state was newly included in this update.
The outbreak is unusual because it involves both E. coli and Salmonella, and some people were infected with strains of both. Separately, Berlin Seeds recalled alfalfa sprouting seeds on Sept. 23 after receiving a warning from its supplier about possible contamination with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and/or Salmonella. The seed lot was traced to a different sprout grower involved in the FDA inquiry; the agency has not named the seed supplier.
Sprouts can carry foodborne bacteria without looking or smelling spoiled. The source material advises people with symptoms after eating an implicated product to seek medical care and tell clinicians about the possible exposure. It describes E. coli symptoms such as severe cramps and diarrhea, sometimes bloody, and Salmonella symptoms that may include diarrhea, cramps and fever. This is general health information, not a diagnosis; urgent symptoms require prompt medical attention.
““Alfalfa sprouts grown by Everything Sprouts LLC is one of the sources of illnesses in this outbreak.””
— U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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What Investigators Have Not Resolved
The FDA says the identified Everything Sprouts products do not explain all illnesses. The available report does not specify what other source or sources may be involved, or whether all cases share a common exposure. It also does not name the seed supplier that alerted Berlin Seeds, identify the state newly added to the count, or provide a final explanation for how the pathogens entered the supply chain.
The patient total may change as interviews, testing and traceback work continue. Some people do not seek medical care, and others may not receive tests that identify the bacteria, so the number of confirmed cases is not necessarily the full number of infections. The source report provides no new update on whether additional illnesses, hospitalizations or deaths have occurred since the Oct. 1 count.
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Further Case and Traceback Updates
State and local health departments are continuing interviews with people who became ill, while the FDA investigates the sprouts and related supply chain. Further updates may clarify whether additional products or growers are linked to the cases, and whether investigators identify a common source for illnesses not explained by Everything Sprouts products. No date for the next update is provided.
People who have eaten the recalled products and develop symptoms should seek medical advice and tell their clinician about the possible exposure. Severe or worsening symptoms—including signs of dehydration or, after E. coli infection, reduced urination, unusual bruising or marked fatigue—warrant prompt medical attention. The recalled product list and outbreak information should be checked against current FDA notices, as the investigation may develop.
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Key Questions
How many people are part of the sprout outbreak?
The FDA count was 76 people in 16 states as of Oct. 1. Six had been hospitalized, and no deaths were reported.
Which pathogens have been identified?
The outbreak includes several E. coli serotypes—O26:H11, O103:H25 and O168:H8—and Salmonella Agona. Three patients were reported infected with both E. coli and Salmonella.
Which products were recalled?
Everything Sprouts recalled certain alfalfa sprouts sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands, along with Robust Radish mix, Crunchy Protein Sprout mix and Zesty Garlic mix. Berlin Seeds separately recalled 950 pounds of alfalfa sprouting seeds. Check current FDA notices for product and lot details.
Do Everything Sprouts products explain every illness?
No. The FDA says its evidence links the company’s alfalfa sprouts to some illnesses, but those sprouts do not explain all cases. Investigators have not identified the remaining source or sources in the supplied report.
What should someone do after eating a recalled product?
Anyone who becomes ill after eating an implicated product should contact a health care provider and mention the possible exposure. Specific tests may be required to diagnose E. coli or Salmonella infection; severe symptoms should receive prompt medical attention.
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