How Can One Alfalfa Sprout Outbreak Involve Both E. coli and Salmonella?
A current multistate investigation has linked alfalfa sprouts sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands to infections caused by both Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and Salmonella. The Food and Drug Administration reports 55 illnesses in 15 states, including four hospitalizations and no deaths. The investigation remains open, so the precise point where contamination occurred has not been confirmed. (fda.gov)
The same food can carry different germs
Sprouts begin as seeds, then grow in warm, humid conditions. Those conditions help seeds germinate, but they can also allow bacteria to multiply quickly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says raw or undercooked sprouts can cause food poisoning for this reason. Cooking sprouts thoroughly reduces the risk. (cdc.gov)
A single batch of seeds, a contaminated water source, equipment, or a handling problem could theoretically introduce more than one pathogen. That is an inference, not a confirmed finding in this investigation. FDA guidance says contaminated seed has historically been the most common source in sprout-related outbreaks, although contamination can occur anywhere from seed production through processing, distribution, retail sale, or handling at home. (fda.gov)
How investigators connect illnesses to sprouts
Public-health officials combine several kinds of evidence. They compare the DNA fingerprints of bacteria from patients, interview people about foods they ate before becoming sick, and trace those foods backward through restaurants, grocery stores, distributors, and growers.
In this case, FDA says 26 of 34 interviewed patients reported eating alfalfa sprouts. Traceback work from restaurants and grocery stores identified sprouts distributed by Everything Sprouts as a source of illness. That evidence supports a connection between the products and the outbreak, while FDA’s inspection and sample collection continue to examine how contamination happened. (fda.gov)
Symptoms do not look exactly the same
STEC infections commonly cause intense stomach cramps and diarrhea, which may become bloody. Symptoms often begin within a few days, and some patients develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious complication that can damage the kidneys. Minnesota health officials warn that diarrhea from a suspected STEC infection generally should not be treated with antibiotics unless directed by a healthcare professional. (health.state.mn.us)
Salmonella typically causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. Symptoms may begin within hours or several days after exposure. Young children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems face a greater risk of severe illness. (fda.gov)
What consumers should do now
- Do not eat, sell, or serve Calco or Everything Sprouts-brand alfalfa sprouts.
- Throw the products away or return them to the place of purchase.
- Wash and sanitize containers, refrigerators, counters, and other surfaces the sprouts touched.
- Contact a healthcare provider after eating the implicated products if symptoms develop, especially bloody diarrhea, severe stomach pain, dehydration, or signs of kidney problems.
For people who want to eat sprouts, the safest approach is to cook them thoroughly rather than serve them raw. The warning applies to the named brands and products while the investigation continues; it does not establish that every sprout product on the market is contaminated.
Sources
- Outbreak Investigation of Shiga Toxin-producing E. coli & Salmonella: Sprouts (August 2026)
- Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Alfalfa Sprouts - December 2022
- Guidance for Industry: Reducing Microbial Food Safety Hazards in the Production of Seed for Sprouting
- MDH, MDA confirm Shiga Toxin-producing E. coli, Salmonella cases linked to alfalfa sprouts
- DHS Confirms E.Coli, Salmonella Cases Linked to Alfalfa Sprouts