U.S. health agencies reported 55 cases of foodborne illness tied to alfalfa sprouts, including 46 E. coli infections and 7 salmonella cases, with no fatalities reported. The illnesses spanned 15 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration.
The outbreak, which began between May 31 and August 8, prompted the FDA to work with Everything Sprouts of Minneapolis on a potential recall. The CDC advised consumers not to eat, sell, or serve the implicated alfalfa sprouts. Of the 34 patients interviewed, 26 reported consuming the sprouts.
The health agencies did not specify the exact source of contamination but noted that the cases coincided with broader food safety concerns. Separate outbreaks of cyclosporiasis linked to lettuce and salmonella infections tied to jalapenos have contributed to reduced consumer confidence in fresh produce and dining out, according to agency statements.
E. coli and salmonella are common foodborne pathogens that typically cause symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. The FDA and CDC continue to investigate the scope of the contamination and potential links to specific production batches.
