Alfalfa Sprouts Recall Linked to 55 Illnesses in 15 States
If you have alfalfa sprouts tucked inside your fridge, be sure to check the package before adding them to your next sandwich or salad.
Everything Sprouts has announced an alfalfa sprouts recall after its products were linked to an outbreak involving E. coli and Salmonella. So far, 55 people in 15 states have gotten sick, four have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.
The affected sprouts were sold under the Everything Sprouts and Calco brand names.
Here's What's Included in the Recall
The Everything Sprouts recall includes certain lots of plain alfalfa sprouts, along with two mixes that have the same alfalfa sprouts.
According to the FDA, you'll want to look for:
Everything Sprouts and Calco Alfalfa Sprouts: Lots 222, 223, 225, 226, and 230
Everything Sprouts Crunchy Protein Sprout Mix: Lots 222, 223, 226, and 230
Everything Sprouts Zesty Garlic Mix: Lots 222, 223, 225, 226, and 230
The products were distributed between May 27th and Aug. 21st to wholesale distributors and grocery stores in Minnesota and Wisconsin. However, illnesses connected to the outbreak have been reported in 15 states.
The Outbreak Involves Two Different Types of Bacteria
This outbreak is a little unusual because health officials aren't investigating just one germ. Of the 55 people who have gotten sick, 46 were infected with strains of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, seven had Salmonella, and two were infected with both.
People started getting sick between May 31st and Aug. 8th. Health officials interviewed 34 people about what they ate before getting sick. Of those, 26, or 76%, reported eating alfalfa sprouts.
The FDA eventually traced them back to Everything Sprouts through restaurants and grocery stores. The E. coli outbreak and Salmonella outbreak are still under investigation.
What to Do If You Have the Sprouts
The FDA's advice for anyone who has the recalled alfalfa sprouts at home is pretty straightforward: don't eat them. Throw the affected products away, and carefully clean and sanitize any containers or surfaces they may have touched.
If you ate the sprouts and aren't feeling well, there are also a few symptoms to watch for. E. coli symptoms can include:
Severe stomach cramps
Diarrhea
Fever
Nausea
Vomiting
Some infections can become serious and lead to a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome.
Salmonella symptoms can include:
Diarrhea
Fever
Stomach cramps
Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems have a greater risk of developing a severe infection.
Check the Package Before You Toss Your Sprouts
The good news is that this isn't a recall of every container of alfalfa sprouts in the refrigerator aisle. It's limited to Everything Sprouts and Calco products and lot numbers.
If you have sprouts at home, take a quick look at the brand and lot number before deciding what stays and what goes.
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