The Food and Drug Administration announced on Sept. 15 that a seed supplier has agreed to recall alfalfa seeds tied to an outbreak of E. coli and Salmonella infections from sprouts. The supplier initially resisted the move. The agency provided no lot numbers or other identifying details about the seeds and did not name the company involved. ([1])
Outbreak Reaches 55 Confirmed Cases
Public health officials have linked the illnesses to alfalfa sprouts grown by Everything Sprouts LLC of Minneapolis. Fifty-five people across 15 states have fallen ill so far. Four required hospitalization. No deaths have been reported. Forty-six patients tested positive for E. coli, seven for Salmonella, and two for both pathogens. Illness onset dates range from May 31 to Aug. 8. Additional cases remain possible because of reporting delays and because many infections go undetected. The CDC estimates that 26 people with E. coli and 29 with Salmonella escape official counts for every confirmed case. Patients range in age from 12 to 94, with a median age of 34. Whole genome sequencing confirmed that bacteria from patient samples share close genetic ties, pointing to a common food source.
Seed Lot Distributed Widely
The recalled seeds were sold to Everything Sprouts and also shipped directly to other sprout growers and wholesale distributors in Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland. Shipments reached Canada, Mexico, Tahiti, and Venezuela as well. Everything Sprouts recalled three of its own products in August. Those items have passed their expiration dates and should no longer be on store shelves. The FDA traceback found that at least one additional, unnamed sprout grower received and used the same seed lot.
Investigation Continues
State and local officials continue to interview patients about foods eaten in the week before illness. Of 34 people questioned so far, 26 reported eating alfalfa sprouts. Epidemiologic and traceback data show that sprouts from Everything Sprouts represent one source of illness, yet they do not account for every case. The FDA has not identified the seed supplier or released lot-specific information. This leaves some uncertainty for other growers who may have received the same seeds.
| Infection Type | Confirmed Cases |
|---|---|
| E. coli only | 46 |
| Salmonella only | 7 |
| Both pathogens | 2 |
What Home Growers and Buyers Should Know
Anyone who purchased alfalfa sprouts recently should check for products from Everything Sprouts and discard any remaining stock. The recalled seeds themselves are not intended for direct consumer use, but the lack of public lot details means commercial sprout producers must verify their own supply chains. Public health agencies continue to monitor for new cases. Traceability gaps in the seed supply chain remain a focus of the ongoing investigation.
AI Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by a human editor.