Multi-State Food Poisoning Outbreak Sparks Urgent CDC Alert

U.S. health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and Salmonella linked to alfalfa sprouts produced by Everything Sprouts LLC in Minneapolis. The CDC and FDA said Friday, August 21, that 55 illnesses had been reported across 15 states, including 46 E. coli infections, seven Salmonella infections and two people infected with both. Four people have been hospitalized and no deaths reported. Illnesses began from May 31 through August 8. Of 34 patients interviewed, 26 reported eating alfalfa sprouts. Traceback evidence from restaurants and grocery stores identified Everything Sprouts products, sold under Calco and Everything Sprouts brands, as a source. FDA began inspection and sampling August 19 and recommended a recall. The agency advised consumers, retailers and food-service businesses not to eat, sell or serve the sprouts. The investigation remains ongoing, including efforts to determine contamination sources and distribution. Officials are coordinating updates as testing continues.