Alfalfa Sprouts Outbreak Now 55 Ill in 15 States

A multistate outbreak of alfalfa sprouts has sickened at least 55 people across 15 states, with four hospitalizations and no deaths reported. The illnesses involve both E. coli/STEC strains and Salmonella and include co-infections in some patients. Sprouts produced by Everything Sprouts and sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands are linked to most cases. Federal and state health agencies have urged consumers to discard affected sprouts and to wash surfaces and items that contact them. Investigations cover Minnesota and Wisconsin as the initial hotspots but now include Iowa, Michigan, New York, Florida, and other states, with cases dating from late May through August. The FDA has begun inspections and has advised recalls of products from the implicated grower while continuing to monitor the outbreak and encourage sanitation and recall actions by retailers and food-service businesses.