Alfalfa sprouts linked to E. coli, Salmonella outbreaks recalled after CDC warning

A recall has been issued for alfalfa sprouts linked to E. coli and Salmonella outbreaks that are blamed for at least 55 illnesses in 15 states, stretching from Florida to New Hampshire to Washington. 

Big picture view:

The recall by Everything Sprouts, LLC, was announced Friday following a request by the Food and Drug Administration. The company says the products affected by the recall were sold between May 27 and August 21 to wholesale distributors and grocery stores in Minnesota and Wisconsin. 

The company’s statement explained the recall includes Alfalfa 6/5oz and 12/6/5oz packages, as well as two products that were made with the alfalfa sprouts: its Crunchy Protein Sprout Mix 5oz cups and Zesty Garlic Mix cups. See affected lot numbers and package labels:

• Alfalfa 6/5oz & 12/6/5oz packages: Lot No. 222, 223, 225, 226, 230
• Crunchy Protein Sprout Mix 5oz cups: Lot No. 222, 223, 226, 230
• Zesty Garlic Mix cups: Lot No. 222, 223, 225, 226, 230

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What you can do:

Anyone who has purchased the affected sprouts or related products should throw them out, then thoroughly clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that the items may have touched. Any retailers or distributors who still have them in stock should stop selling them and also clean items the products may have come in contact with. 

Why you should care:

Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned that the sprouts, which were sold under the Everything Sprouts and Calco brand names, had been linked to the outbreak, which has already sent four people to the hospital.

The CDC indicated that multiple strains of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and Salmonella were reported, with two people having been infected with both. Of the 34 patients interviewed, 26 of them–or 76%–reported eating alfalfa sprouts before becoming sick. The states where cases have been reported include: 

• Florida
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• New Hampshire
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Washington
• Wisconsin

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Symptoms of E. coli, Salmonella infections

Dig deeper:

Symptoms of E. coli infection typically include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that is often bloody, and vomiting.

Some patients can develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, a serious complication that can cause acute kidney failure.

People infected with Salmonella typically experience diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. 

Children younger than 5, adults 65 and older and people with weakened immune systems are among those at greater risk of developing severe illness.

The CDC recommends contacting a healthcare provider right away for symptoms including bloody diarrhea, diarrhea accompanied by a fever above 102 degrees, diarrhea lasting more than two days without improvement, vomiting that prevents a person from keeping liquids down or signs of dehydration.

 

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