A Minneapolis based producer has issued a massive voluntary recall of its alfalfa sprouts after federal health officials linked the product to outbreaks of both E. coli and salmonella across fifteen states. Everything Sprouts, LLC announced the move on Friday, targeting five ounce containers distributed since late May. According to the CDC and FDA, at least fifty five people have fallen ill, with four requiring hospitalization. Of those affected, forty six contracted E. coli and seven dealt with salmonella, while two unlucky individuals suffered from both infections simultaneously.
The illness window spanned several months, beginning as early as May 31 and continuing through August 8. While official counts stand at fifty five cases, health authorities warn that the actual number of sickened consumers is likely much higher given that many people do not seek medical attention for foodborne illnesses. The contaminated sprouts were sold under both the everything sprouts and calco brand names and reached a wide variety of grocery stores and restaurants throughout the region.
Despite the recall and the federal warnings, everything sprouts claims it has not yet seen positive lab results from its own daily testing during the outbreak. However, this incident follows a troubling history with regulators. Last year, the FDA cautioned the company about serious sanitary violations at its facility, citing issues such as roof leaks that allowed water to drip directly onto produce and employees uniforms. Inspectors previously flagged a buildup of black organic matter on irrigation hoses used for watering the crops.
Minnesota health officials are now urging anyone who finds alfalfa sprouts from either brand in their refrigerator to dispose of them immediately without tasting them first. Federal agents began conducting inspections and collecting samples at the site on August 19 before officially recommending the recall. For now, investigators continue to work with the company to pinpoint exactly how these pathogens entered the supply chain despite previous warnings regarding facility cleanliness.