Federal health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli and Salmonella infections linked to alfalfa sprouts, with 55 illnesses reported across 15 states and consumers being urged to avoid affected products.
The investigation, involving the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and state and local health agencies, has identified alfalfa sprouts distributed by Minneapolis-based Everything Sprouts LLC as a source of illnesses. Federal officials say the investigation remains ongoing.
The outbreak has renewed attention on the risks associated with raw sprouts, which can provide favorable conditions for bacterial growth when contamination occurs during production.
55 Illnesses Reported Across 15 States
According to the FDA’s latest outbreak advisory, 55 people have been infected with multiple strains of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and one strain of Salmonella.
The reported illnesses include 46 E. coli infections, seven Salmonella infections and two people who were infected with both pathogens. Four people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.
Cases have been identified in Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin.
Illnesses began between May 31 and August 8, according to federal investigators.
Alfalfa Sprouts Identified as the Source
Investigators used interviews and traceback information to identify a common exposure.
Of 34 people interviewed by public health officials, 26—or approximately 76%—reported eating alfalfa sprouts before becoming ill. Investigators then traced products from restaurants and grocery stores back to alfalfa sprouts distributed by Everything Sprouts.
The FDA said the company distributed affected sprouts between May 27 and August 21 to wholesale distributors and grocery stores in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The agency is continuing to investigate whether additional products or companies could be connected to the outbreak.
Recall Targets Multiple Products
Everything Sprouts recalled certain lots of alfalfa sprouts because of the potential presence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and Salmonella.
The recalled products were sold under the Everything Sprouts and Calco brands.
The FDA says affected products include certain 5-ounce packages of alfalfa sprouts as well as some Crunchy Protein Sprout Mix and Zesty Garlic Mix products containing the sprouts.
Consumers are being told not to eat, sell or serve the affected products.
FDA Investigation Continues
The FDA began an onsite inspection and sample collection at Everything Sprouts on August 19.
The agency is examining the production operation and collecting information to determine how contamination may have occurred.
Federal officials are also investigating whether additional products or firms could be connected to the illnesses.
The investigation illustrates how foodborne-illness cases can lead regulators from individual patients to restaurants and retailers and ultimately back to a specific supplier.
Why Raw Sprouts Can Be a Food-Safety Concern
Raw sprouts have long received special attention from food-safety officials because bacteria can multiply rapidly under the warm, humid conditions required for sprouting.
Contamination of seeds or growing environments can therefore create a food-safety risk.
That does not mean all sprouts are contaminated, but it explains why health officials can act quickly when epidemiological evidence connects a product to illnesses.
Symptoms Can Become Serious
E. coli and Salmonella infections can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, although the severity varies.
The FDA says Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting. Some infections can result in bloody diarrhea and serious complications, including hemolytic uremic syndrome, a form of kidney failure.
Salmonella commonly causes diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps.
Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems can face a higher risk of serious illness.
Consumers Urged to Check Their Refrigerators
Federal officials are advising consumers to check refrigerators and freezers for Calco and Everything Sprouts-brand alfalfa sprouts.
Anyone who has affected products should throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.
Consumers should also clean and sanitize surfaces and containers that may have come into contact with the recalled sprouts to reduce the possibility of cross-contamination.
Restaurants, retailers and food-service businesses have also been instructed not to sell or serve affected products.
Food-Safety Concerns Are Growing
The outbreak comes during a period of increased attention to produce-related foodborne illnesses in the United States.
FDA records show multiple active foodborne-illness investigations in August, including outbreaks involving Salmonella and Cyclospora.
That makes the latest sprout investigation particularly important for consumers and food producers.
What Happens Next
Investigators will continue analyzing clinical samples, traceback information, food samples and production records.
The goal is to determine the full scope of the outbreak and whether additional products need to be recalled.
Federal officials are also expected to update the public if the number of illnesses changes or if investigators identify additional sources.
The Bottom Line
The multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts has sickened 55 people across 15 states and prompted federal investigators to expand their food-safety review.
With four hospitalizations reported and no deaths so far, officials are urging consumers to avoid recalled Everything Sprouts and Calco alfalfa sprouts and to carefully clean surfaces that may have contacted the products.
The investigation remains active, and additional findings could determine whether the recall expands.
For American families, the immediate message from health officials is straightforward: check your refrigerator, do not consume affected sprouts and follow official recall guidance as investigators work to determine how the contamination occurred.
Source angle: FDA and CDC investigation into the August 2026 multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak associated with Everything Sprouts and Calco alfalfa sprouts.