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As of Oct. 1, 76 people in 16 states had confirmed infections with outbreak strains of E. coli, Salmonella Agona, or both, according to the FDA. Investigators associate some illnesses with alfalfa sprouts grown by Minneapolis-based Everything Sprouts, but say those products do not account for every case. Six people have been hospitalized; no deaths have been reported.
The FDA reported 76 confirmed illnesses in 16 states linked to an outbreak involving several strains of E. coli and Salmonella Agona associated with alfalfa sprouts. The Oct. 1 update adds patients and another state to the investigation; six people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.
The confirmed illnesses include 64 E. coli infections, nine Salmonella infections and three people infected with both, the FDA said. The E. coli outbreak strains include multiple serotypes: O26:H11, O103:H25 and O168:H8. The Salmonella strain is Agona. The illnesses have been reported in Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin.
Illnesses began between May 31 and Sept. 7. State and local health officials are interviewing people about foods they ate during the week before becoming sick. Of 50 people interviewed so far, 40 said they ate sprouts, including 35 who specifically reported alfalfa sprouts, according to the FDA.
The agency said epidemiologic and traceback evidence identifies alfalfa sprouts grown by Everything Sprouts LLC of Minneapolis as one source of illnesses. However, FDA said those sprouts do not explain every case. The company recalled certain alfalfa sprouts sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands on Aug. 22, along with Robust Radish, Crunchy Protein Sprout and Zesty Garlic mixes.
Why the Sprout Link Matters
The investigation involves two foodborne pathogens, and some patients tested positive for more than one outbreak strain. That makes the case count more complex than a single-strain outbreak and means the confirmed total includes people with both E. coli and Salmonella.
Sprouts are commonly eaten raw or lightly cooked, so they may not receive a heat treatment that would kill bacteria. The FDA’s identification of a sprout grower as one source gives consumers and retailers a specific product connection to act on, while the agency’s warning that the products do not explain all illnesses signals that the investigation is broader than one company’s recalled goods.
The official count may also understate the number of infections. The source report notes that people who do not seek care or are not tested may not be counted. It cites CDC estimates that, for every Salmonella case identified in an outbreak, 29 may go undetected, and for every identified E. coli case, 26 may go undetected. Those estimates are general multipliers, not a confirmed estimate of the number of people sickened in this outbreak.
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Recalls and Seed Traceback
The FDA first reported the outbreak on Aug. 21, when 55 patients had been identified. The next day, Everything Sprouts began its recall of specified sprout products. The latest update raises the confirmed count to 76 and reports infections across 16 states.
A separate seed recall followed on Sept. 23. Berlin Seeds of Millersburg, Ohio, recalled 950 pounds of alfalfa sprouting seed after its supplier notified the company that the seed could be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) or Salmonella. According to the source report, FDA traceback work linked seed lot SAL2-24JB to another sprout grower whose finished sprouts were included in the agency’s investigation. The FDA has not named the seed supplier.
““Alfalfa sprouts grown by Everything Sprouts LLC is one of the sources of illnesses in this outbreak.””
— U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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Cases Still Without a Source
It is not yet clear what caused the illnesses that investigators have not linked to Everything Sprouts products, or whether additional growers, products or supply-chain sources will be identified. The FDA has not named the seed supplier connected to the recalled Berlin Seeds lot, and the source report does not specify which state was newly added in the latest update.
The 76-patient figure is a count of confirmed cases as of Oct. 1, not a final total. Investigators are still interviewing people, and the source report says the outbreak may include more infections than have been identified. No further hospitalization details or information about the patients’ conditions were provided.
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FDA Investigation and Case Updates
State and local public health officials are continuing interviews, while the FDA investigates the outbreak’s supply chain and the seed traceback. The agency may update its case count, geographic reach or product findings as more test results and interviews become available.
People who have eaten recalled products and develop symptoms should seek medical attention and tell their clinician about the possible exposure, according to the source report. Symptoms can overlap with other illnesses, and specific testing is needed to diagnose E. coli or Salmonella. For suspected E. coli infection, urgent care is advised for signs that may indicate hemolytic uremic syndrome, including reduced urination, unexplained bruising or unusual paleness.
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Key Questions
How many people are confirmed sick in the sprout outbreak?
The FDA reported 76 confirmed patients across 16 states as of Oct. 1. The total includes 64 E. coli infections, nine Salmonella infections and three people infected with both.
Which products have been recalled?
Everything Sprouts recalled certain alfalfa sprouts sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands, as well as Robust Radish, Crunchy Protein Sprout and Zesty Garlic mixes. Berlin Seeds separately recalled 950 pounds of alfalfa sprouting seed after a supplier warned of possible contamination.
Are all the outbreak illnesses linked to Everything Sprouts?
No. The FDA says evidence links the company’s alfalfa sprouts to one source of illnesses, but those products do not explain every case. The investigation is continuing.
How many people have been hospitalized or died?
Six people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported in the information provided by the FDA as of the Oct. 1 update.
What should someone do if they ate a recalled product and feel sick?
Seek medical attention and tell the clinician about the possible exposure, the source report advises. Testing may be needed because symptoms can resemble other illnesses; people with severe symptoms should seek urgent care.
Source: rss
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