The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Friday that alfalfa sprouts sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands are linked to an outbreak of E. coli and Salmonella. The agency urged consumers who purchased these products to return them to the place of purchase or discard them immediately. Health officials have identified 55 cases of illness across 14 states connected to the consumption of the sprouts.
According to the CDC, the outbreak began between May 31 and August 8. This incident represents the third ongoing Salmonella outbreak identified this month and the second E. coli outbreak reported since the beginning of the year. The CDC noted that traceback data specifically connected infections to Everything Sprouts-branded alfalfa served at restaurants in Minnesota and Wisconsin, which combined account for nearly 70 percent of all recorded cases.
Data from the investigation showed that among those infected, 76% reported eating alfalfa sprouts in the week before their symptoms appeared. As of Friday, 46 people contracted E. coli, seven contracted Salmonella, and two were infected with both. Four individuals have been hospitalized. The CDC is currently investigating three different strains of E. coli and one strain of Salmonella associated with this outbreak.
An individual affected by these bacteria would notice significant changes to their daily health, typically including diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. For those with E. coli, symptoms like bloody stool, vomiting, and dehydration may emerge between three to nine days after ingestion. Salmonella symptoms generally appear between six hours and six days after exposure. The CDC's FoodNet Population survey indicates that while only 8.7 percent of the general population typically eats alfalfa sprouts in a week, the significantly higher rate of consumption among the sickened individuals—76%—served as a primary indicator for investigators to identify the source.
The recall and health warning have immediate knock-on effects for grocery retailers and the restaurant industry, which must remove these brands from their supply chains. The investigation remains ongoing as officials monitor for additional cases and work to ensure contaminated products are no longer in circulation. Consumers who still have these brands in their possession are advised to follow disposal or return instructions immediately to prevent further spread of the four bacterial strains involved. The CDC did not provide a specific date for when the investigation is expected to conclude.