A food poisoning outbreak caused by multiple pathogens, including salmonella and E. coli, has sickened dozens of people across at least 15 states, according to state and federal health officials.
The Food
and Drug Administration identified the source behind the spread as alfalfa sprouts grown by Everything Sprouts and sold in stores under the brands Calco and Everything Sprouts, according an an announcement on Friday, Aug. 21. Sprouts are a common fixture on recall lists because they are generally eaten raw, and the conditions under which they are grown are ideal for harmful bacteria growth.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified 55 sick people as of Aug. 21, including some infected with both salmonella and E. coli. Generally speaking, it is uncommon for a foodborne illness outbreak to involve more than one pathogen. This case involves Salmonella Agona and three strains of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli.
"It's pretty unusual, but they seem to have popped up in sprouts and raw milk products," food safety lawyer Bill Marler told USA TODAY.
Two of the 55 people sickened have been identified as infected with both salmonella and E. coli, while 46 were infected with just E. coli, and seven with just salmonella, according to the FDA and CDC. The actual number of people infected with multiple pathogens could be higher because of how cultures are taken and tested when someone becomes ill, according to Marler.
As of Aug. 21, there have been four hospitalizations and no recall so far related to the affected sprouts.
Which sprouts were named by the FDA?
The FDA, which previously sent Everything Sprouts a letter in March 2025 warning them of “serious violations” of the Produce Safety Rule, has advised the company to issue a recall, which has not yet been initiated as of Aug. 21. In the meantime, the agency has advised people not to eat or sell the following products as it works on tracing where they were sold:
- Calco and Everything Sprouts-branded alfalfa sprouts.
Sprouts are one of the few foods the FDA regularly issues blanket advisories against eating, especially for older adults, children, pregnant people and those with compromised immune systems.
"Sprouts are a raw agricultural product that's grown outside, harvested and put into 50-pound bags, so if the product gets contaminated out where it's grown and you put it in a warm, wet environment to sprout it, that's a perfect place for bacterial growth," Marler said.
That's why some of the largest foodborne illness outbreaks ever, and the most deadly, have been linked to sprouts. It's also partly why sprouts are one of the only food items other than raw milk that the FDA and CDC consistently warn people not to consume.
The 2025 letter that the FDA sent to Everything Sprouts followed an inspection of the company's Minnesota-based growing operation, which contained several violations, including failure to clean and sanitize food contact surfaces, not implementing measures to prevent environmental contamination from things such as dripping pipes, and "a build-up of black organic matter" on hoses used to irrigate soy sprouts.
The company's mung bean, soybean and green sprouts were found to be adulterated because they had been "prepared, packed or held under insanitary conditions," the FDA said.
Where people got sick: see map
According to the CDC, related illnesses were reported in 15 states as of Aug. 21. Minnesota and Wisconsin have reported the most illnesses.
What to do with recalled sprouts
The sprouts should not be eaten and should be immediately thrown away or returned to the place of purchase, the FDA says. Anyone who purchased or received affected sprouts should carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers they touched, the agency adds.
If you believe you may have been exposed to the sprouts and become ill, contact your healthcare provider.
What is Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, or STEC? Is it more dangerous?
The outbreak strain of E. coli linked to the sprouts has been identified as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, or STEC. This type of E. coli is known to cause a serious kidney condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, according to the FDA.
Children are more likely to suffer from HUS, which damages blood vessels, according to the Mayo Clinic. That causes red blood cells to break down, leading to anemia and clots in the blood vessels. These clots may damage the kidneys and other organs and cause kidney failure or even death.
Symptoms of E. Coli poisoning appear two to eight days after exposure and usually last about a week, according to the CDC. These can include:
- Diarrhea, sometimes bloody, and a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
- So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
- Signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth, reduced urination and dizziness.
- Abdominal cramping, pain or bloating.
HUS has some additional symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic, including:
- High blood pressure
- Pallor or loss of color in the skin
- Extreme tiredness
- Easy bruising
- Unusual bleeding, such as bleeding from the nose and mouth
- Decreased urination or blood in the urine
- Swelling, called edema, of the legs, feet or ankles
- Confusion, seizures or stroke
Symptoms of salmonella poisoning
Symptoms of salmonella poisoning usually start six hours to six days after ingesting the bacteria. The most common symptoms are diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, according to the CDC.
While most healthy people can recover in four to seven days without treatment, some vulnerable people, such as children under 5, adults 65 and older, and those with weakened immune systems, may experience more severe illness that requires medical treatment or hospitalization.
If you experience any of these more serious symptoms, the CDC advises contacting your health care professional:
- Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
- Diarrhea for more than three days that is not improving
- Bloody diarrhea
- Vomiting to the point that you cannot keep liquids down
- Signs of dehydration, such as not urinating much, dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sprouts sicken dozens with food poisoning in 15 states. See map
