Recalled alfalfa sprouts sickened people in 15 states, FDA says

Contributing Writer

Heads up before you make salad for dinner tonight: There’s another multistate outbreak of illness linked to produce.

On Aug. 21, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced an ongoing investigation that it’s conducting with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) into E. coli and salmonella contamination of alfalfa sprouts.

The FDA says alfalfa sprouts distributed by Everything Sprouts, LLC, of Minneapolis have been identified as a source of illnesses in the outbreak. The sprouts may be contaminated with multiple strains of Shiga toxin-producing E. Coli (STEC) and one strain of Salmonella Agona.

From May 31 to Aug. 8, 55 people across 15 states have been sickened. The states with current cases are Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The investigation has found that some people were infected with more than one strain of bacterium from the sprouts. In terms of the breakdown of how people got sick, 46 were infected with E. coli, seven were infected with salmonella, and two were infected with both salmonella and E. coli — four people have been hospitalized so far. Seventy-six percent of those who got sick said they’d eaten alfalfa sprouts.

Which sprouts are specifically affected?

On Aug. 22, Everything Sprouts, LLC recalled sprouts distributed by Everything Sprouts from May 27, 2026, to Aug. 21, 2026, to wholesale distributors and to grocery stores located in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The affected products were sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands in individual 5-oz plastic containers packaged with these barcodes:

• 860014523113
• 860014523120
• 850079470149

The recalled alfalfa sprout products include Alfalfa 6/5 oz and Alfalfa 12/6/5 oz packages with the following lot numbers:

• 222
• 223
• 225
• 226
• 230

The recalled sprouts were also ingredients in Everything Sprouts Crunchy Protein Sprout Mix 5 oz cups with the following lot numbers:

• 222
• 223
• 226
• 230

The sprouts were also ingredients in the company’s Zesty Garlic Mix cups with the following lot numbers:

• 222
• 223
• 225
• 226
• 230

The FDA is investigating whether there’s been additional distribution of the sprouts now.

What is Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, and how does it make you sick?

STEC can spread when food or water becomes contaminated with feces from people or animals, as well as through contact with infected people or animals.

STEC can cause everything from mild stomach distress to serious kidney damage. If a young child eats food that’s contaminated with STEC, it can be life-threatening, as they may develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, leading to kidney failure or other organ damage. The CDC says that adults 65 and older may also experience severe illness if they get infected with STEC, as can people with weakened immune systems.

The CDC also reports that symptoms of STEC include:

• bloody diarrhea
• severe stomach cramps
• vomiting

Symptoms usually start three to four days after you’ve been infected with STEC.

What is salmonella, and how does it make you sick?

Salmonella are bacteria that can spread through contaminated food, including when food is improperly handled, or eaten raw or undercooked, according to the FDA. Salmonellosis, the illness salmonella causes, can be serious or even fatal in children, the elderly, or people with weakened immune systems.

The FDA reports that symptoms of salmonellosis include:

• diarrhea
• fever
• abdominal cramps

Symptoms of more severe illness include:

• aches
• high fever
• headaches
• lethargy
• a rash
• blood in your urine
• blood in your stool

Symptoms can start 12 hours to 3 days after
you’re infected with salmonella.

What should you do if you think you bought or ate these sprouts?

The FDA says you should throw away any of these products that you bought or froze, and if you froze sprouts but aren’t sure of their brand, throw those away, too.

You should carefully clean and sanitize any surface the sprouts touched, using the FDA’s safe handling and cleaning advice.

You can contact Everything Sprouts, LLC, with
any questions you have, too, at everythingsproutsmn@gmail.com.

If you ate the sprouts and develop any symptoms, contact your health care provider right away.

Why are sprouts linked to food poisoning so often?

According to the CDC, sprouts need to grow in a warm, humid environment. Warmth and humidity create the perfect breeding ground for germs and bacteria. Raw sprouts are more likely to make you sick.

The good news: Cooking sprouts thoroughly can reduce your risk of food poisoning. Still, you should never consume recalled sprouts, whether they’re raw or cooked.