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The FDA reported 76 confirmed patients across 16 states in an outbreak involving several E. coli strains and Salmonella Agona associated with alfalfa sprouts grown by Everything Sprouts LLC. Six people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported. Investigators say the sprouts account for some, but not all, of the illnesses.
The FDA reported 76 confirmed patients in 16 states as of Oct. 1 in an outbreak involving several strains of E. coli and Salmonella Agona associated with alfalfa sprouts grown by Everything Sprouts LLC of Minneapolis. Six people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported; federal investigators say the sprouts are linked to some, but not all, of the illnesses.
The outbreak includes 64 people infected with E. coli, nine with Salmonella, and three who tested positive for both. The E. coli strains include O26:H11, O103:H25 and O168:H8. Patients live in Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin. Illnesses began between May 31 and Sept. 7, according to the FDA’s update.
State and local public health officials have interviewed 50 patients about foods eaten during the week before illness. Forty of those interviewed reported eating sprouts, and 35 specifically reported alfalfa sprouts. The FDA says epidemiologic and traceback evidence connect alfalfa sprouts grown by Everything Sprouts to illnesses, while also stating that those products do not explain every case.
The company initiated a recall on Aug. 22 covering certain alfalfa sprouts sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands, as well as Robust Radish, Crunchy Protein Sprout and Zesty Garlic mixes. Separately, Berlin Seeds of Millersburg, Ohio, recalled 950 pounds of alfalfa sprouting seeds on Sept. 23 after its supplier reported that a seed lot had the potential to be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli or Salmonella. The supplier was not named by the FDA.
Why the Sprout Link Matters
The reported illnesses span 16 states and two types of bacteria, making the outbreak relevant to people who bought or ate the recalled sprout products as well as to public health investigators tracing where contamination may have entered the supply chain. Raw sprouts are often eaten without a cooking step that could kill harmful bacteria, so contaminated products can expose consumers before a problem is identified.
The patient count is a count of confirmed, identified cases, not necessarily everyone who became ill. The source report notes that some people do not seek medical care and others may not receive the tests needed to identify the bacteria. It cites CDC estimates that, for every Salmonella case identified in an outbreak, 29 may go undetected, and for every identified E. coli case, 26 may go undetected. Those are general estimates, not a measured estimate of the number of people sickened in this specific outbreak.
Both infections can cause gastrointestinal illness, and some cases can become serious. The source advises people with symptoms after eating implicated products to seek medical care and tell their clinician about the possible exposure, since specific tests may be needed. People with severe symptoms, including signs associated with kidney complications from E. coli, need urgent medical attention.
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From First Report to Seed Recall
The FDA first reported the outbreak on Aug. 21, when 55 patients had been identified. The next day, Everything Sprouts initiated its recall of specified products. The later seed recall was connected to the investigation through a separate traceback: Berlin Seeds said it had been notified that lot SAL2-24JB had been identified as seed used by another sprout grower whose finished sprouts were part of the FDA investigation.
The FDA has not named the seed supplier, and the source report does not say that Berlin Seeds’ recalled seed was used by Everything Sprouts. The distinction matters: investigators have identified Everything Sprouts alfalfa sprouts as one source associated with illnesses, but the outbreak also includes cases that those products do not account for. The investigation is tracking multiple pathogens and supply-chain leads rather than a single confirmed source for every patient.
““Epidemiologic and traceback evidence show that 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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Cases and Sources Still Under Review
The FDA’s count reflects confirmed patients reported by Oct. 1; the eventual number of cases is not known. Officials are continuing interviews and traceback work, and the source report does not provide a more recent count or say when the investigation will conclude. The cited undercount multipliers are broad CDC estimates and should not be applied as a precise projection for this outbreak.
It also remains unclear what accounts for illnesses not explained by the Everything Sprouts products, whether additional products or growers will be linked, and whether the recalled seed was used in any of the products connected to those cases. The FDA has not identified Berlin Seeds’ supplier. The source material does not establish that all recalled products or seed lots were contaminated; it describes the basis and scope of the recalls and the ongoing investigation.
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Public Health Interviews Continue
State and local health officials are continuing to ask patients about foods they ate before becoming ill, while the FDA follows epidemiologic and traceback leads. Those steps may help determine whether other growers, products or supply-chain points are connected to the cases not explained by the identified sprouts. No next update date or investigation deadline was given in the source report.
Consumers can check the recall information for the named sprout products and avoid eating items covered by the recalls. Anyone who develops symptoms after eating a potentially implicated product should contact a health care provider and mention the possible exposure. The source report says E. coli symptoms can include severe cramps and diarrhea, sometimes bloody; Salmonella can cause diarrhea, cramps and fever. These symptoms can overlap with other illnesses, so clinicians may need specific testing.
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Key Questions
How many people are confirmed sick?
The FDA reported 76 confirmed patients across 16 states as of Oct. 1, 2026. Six people had been hospitalized, and no deaths were reported.
Which products were recalled?
Everything Sprouts recalled certain alfalfa sprouts sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands, along with Robust Radish, Crunchy Protein Sprout and Zesty Garlic mixes. Berlin Seeds separately recalled 950 pounds of alfalfa sprouting seed. Check the recall notices for product and lot details.
Are all the illnesses linked to Everything Sprouts?
No. The FDA says evidence links the company’s alfalfa sprouts to some illnesses, but those products do not explain every case. Investigators are continuing to examine other possible sources.
What should someone do if they feel sick after eating sprouts?
Contact a health care provider and report the possible food exposure. The source report says specific tests may be required to diagnose E. coli or Salmonella. Severe symptoms, including signs of possible kidney complications, warrant urgent medical care.
Source: rss
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