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The CDC and FDA say an outbreak of Salmonella Bovismorbificans linked to broccoli sprouts and microgreens has ended, with 34 reported illnesses across six states and three hospitalizations. Investigators traced the implicated seeds to a contaminated lot imported from New Zealand, but officials have not named the seed company; related seed products have been recalled.
The CDC and FDA have declared an outbreak of Salmonella Bovismorbificans linked to broccoli sprouts and microgreens over, reporting 34 illnesses across six states and three hospitalizations. Investigators say the sprouts were grown from a contaminated seed lot imported from New Zealand, but the agencies have not identified the seed supplier.
The reported illnesses affected people in Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, Utah and Washington. Patients ranged in age from 2 to 87, and illness onset dates ran from July 7 through September 11, according to the outbreak information summarized by Food Safety News. Of 30 people interviewed, 29 said they had eaten sprouts or microgreens before becoming ill.
Samples of Evergreen Fresh Sprouts-brand broccoli sprouts collected by Washington and Montana health officials tested positive for Salmonella. The bacteria matched the outbreak strain, according to the report. The FDA also found the matching strain in broccoli seed samples collected from a domestic seed supplier. Investigators traced those seeds to an import from New Zealand.
The implicated Evergreen Fresh Sprouts broccoli sprouts are past their expiration dates and are no longer available for sale, the FDA said; more sprouting seeds linked to the outbreak were recalled. The domestic supplier recalled the implicated broccoli seeds, and several companies initiated downstream recalls. The recalled seeds were sold nationwide through company websites and online marketplaces, including Amazon, Walmart, eBay, Etsy and TikTok Shop.
Recalled Seeds Reached U.S. Buyers
The outbreak investigation has identified a food-safety concern beyond ready-to-eat sprouts: the broccoli seeds used to grow them were also contaminated with the matching Salmonella strain. The reported seed recalls covered products sold directly to consumers nationwide, so people who bought seeds for home sprouting may need to check their packages against the recall details.
Salmonella infection can cause illness, and the reported cases included people as young as 2 years old. The official count is not a full measure of everyone who may have become sick. The CDC estimates that for every confirmed Salmonella patient in an outbreak, 29 cases may go undetected, because some people do not seek medical care or are not tested for Salmonella. That estimate is a general agency estimate, not a count of additional cases confirmed in this outbreak.
The supplier’s identity remains undisclosed in the report, limiting consumers’ ability to connect the imported seed lot to a specific company. The product names and lot information provided in recall notices offer another way for customers to check whether seeds they purchased are implicated.
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How Investigators Linked Seeds
The investigation connected illnesses to sprouts through interviews and laboratory testing. Among the 30 people interviewed, 29 recalled eating sprouts or microgreens before becoming ill. Separately, state officials tested Evergreen Fresh Sprouts broccoli sprouts and found Salmonella matching the outbreak strain. FDA testing found the same strain in broccoli seed samples from a domestic supplier, and traceback information indicated the seeds had been imported from New Zealand.
The report lists several recalled seed products: Gardeners Basics Waltham 29 Broccoli Sprouting Seeds, in a one-pound white-and-green resealable pouch marked “Packed for 2027”; Eden Brothers calabrese broccoli seeds in packets and one-ounce and one-pound sizes, lots 1022067 and 1022068, supplier lot W4105; and Home Grown green sprouting calabrese broccoli seeds, an eight-ounce product sold on Amazon with lot code AUG172026 embossed on the top seal.
Officials said this outbreak does not appear related to other recent multistate Salmonella and E. coli outbreaks traced to alfalfa sprouts produced by Everything Sprouts, LLC. The available report does not provide the name of the domestic seed supplier or the imported seed company.
“The agencies declared the outbreak over.”
— CDC and FDA, as reported by Food Safety News
Supplier Identity Still Unreported
The report does not identify the domestic seed supplier or the company that imported the seed from New Zealand. It also does not explain why officials have not named those businesses. The available information does not specify how many seed packages were recalled, how many were recovered, or whether every downstream seller and customer has been reached.
The 34 illnesses are the official reported count. The CDC’s estimate that many Salmonella infections go undetected gives general context but does not establish how many additional people were sick in this outbreak. The report also does not detail whether new illnesses could still be detected after the outbreak was declared over.
Check Seed Packages and Recall Notices
Consumers who bought broccoli sprouting seeds should compare the brand, package size and lot code with the recalled products listed by the FDA and sellers. The listed products include Gardeners Basics Waltham 29 seeds, specific Eden Brothers lots, and Home Grown seeds with lot code AUG172026. The affected Evergreen Fresh Sprouts broccoli sprouts are reported to be expired and unavailable for sale.
People who believe they have an implicated seed product should follow the applicable recall instructions and avoid using it for sprouting or eating. The supplied report does not give a separate timetable for further agency updates or say whether additional recalls are expected. The supplier’s identity and any further investigation findings remain unreported.
Key Questions
How many people became ill in the outbreak?
Officials reported 34 illnesses across Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, Utah and Washington. Three people were hospitalized. The CDC says some Salmonella cases can go undetected, but the number of additional cases in this outbreak is not known.
What foods were linked to the illnesses?
The outbreak was linked to broccoli sprouts and microgreens. State testing found the outbreak strain in Evergreen Fresh Sprouts broccoli sprouts, and FDA testing found a matching strain in broccoli seed samples.
Which broccoli seeds were recalled?
The reported recalls include Gardeners Basics Waltham 29 broccoli sprouting seeds, specified Eden Brothers calabrese broccoli seed lots, and Home Grown green sprouting calabrese seeds with lot code AUG172026. Check the full recall notice for package and lot details before using a product.
Has the seed supplier been identified?
No. The report says the seed lot came from a domestic supplier and was originally imported from New Zealand, but public health officials have not named the supplier.
Is this outbreak connected to the alfalfa sprout outbreaks?
The outbreak information says it does not appear related to recent multistate Salmonella and E. coli outbreaks linked to alfalfa sprouts produced by Everything Sprouts, LLC.
Source: foodsafetynews.com
