The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a food‑poisoning outbreak involving alfalfa sprouts that has sickened people in 15 states. As of Friday, the agency is aware of 55 confirmed cases, including four individuals who required hospitalization.
States Affected
Cases have been documented in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Washington. State health departments in Minnesota and Wisconsin reported more than three dozen cases combined.
Illness Details
Among the 34 patients interviewed, 26 recalled eating alfalfa sprouts. The outbreak is unusual because it involves two different pathogens: salmonella and several strains of Shiga toxin‑producing E. coli (STEC). Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever, severe vomiting, dehydration and stomach cramps, while STEC may lead to bloody diarrhea, severe stomach cramps, and in some cases acute kidney failure.
Source of the Sprouts
Investigators have linked the contaminated sprouts to Everything Sprouts, a Minnesota grower that markets alfalfa sprouts under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands. The sprouts were sold to restaurants and grocery stores nationwide. The company has not issued a recall, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is monitoring the situation.
Previous FDA Findings
Last year, the FDA sent a warning letter to Everything Sprouts after an inspection uncovered several concerns, including a leaking roof that allowed water to drip onto bean sprouts and inadequate worker clothing.
Consumer Guidance
The CDC advises anyone who has purchased the affected alfalfa sprouts to discard them or return them to the place of purchase. Home kitchens should clean any surfaces or utensils that may have contacted the sprouts with hot, soapy water or run them through a dishwasher. Individuals experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, vomiting, or stomach cramps after consuming the sprouts should contact their healthcare provider promptly.
What’s Next
The CDC and FDA continue to investigate the outbreak and will update the public if additional information becomes available.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
