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As of Oct. 1, federal investigators reported 76 confirmed infections involving E. coli, Salmonella Agona or both across 16 states. Alfalfa sprouts from Minneapolis-based Everything Sprouts LLC are one identified source, but officials say they do not account for every illness.
The sprout-linked outbreak investigation now includes 76 confirmed patients in 16 states, with cases involving E. coli, Salmonella Agona or both, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The agency said alfalfa sprouts grown by Minneapolis-based Everything Sprouts LLC are one source of illnesses, but do not explain all cases; six patients have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.
The Oct. 1 count covers 64 people infected with E. coli, nine with Salmonella and three with both pathogens. The E. coli infections involve several strains, including O26:H11, O103:H25 and O168:H8. The investigation is unusual because it involves two types of bacteria, and some patients were infected with more than one outbreak strain, the FDA said.
Illness-onset dates range from May 31 through Sept. 7. State and local health officials are asking patients what they ate in the week before becoming sick. Of 50 people interviewed so far, 40 reported eating sprouts, and 35 specifically reported alfalfa sprouts, according to the report.
The cases have been reported in Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin. The FDA’s evidence includes epidemiologic interviews and traceback work linking Everything Sprouts’ alfalfa sprouts to some illnesses. Investigators have not said that every patient ate the company’s products.
Why the Two-Pathogen Investigation Matters
The investigation concerns two separate foodborne pathogens, so a single case total does not mean every patient had the same infection or symptoms. E. coli and Salmonella can both cause gastrointestinal illness, and the FDA’s figures include three people reported to have contracted both. The finding of one identified source also does not resolve the full outbreak: the agency says the sprouts tied to Everything Sprouts do not account for all illnesses.
For consumers and health professionals, the investigation is a reason to take a possible exposure seriously if symptoms develop. The source report says contaminated food may not look, smell or taste spoiled. It advises people who ate implicated products and became ill to seek medical care and tell their clinician about the possible exposure, since specific tests are needed to diagnose these infections.
The confirmed tally is not necessarily the full number of infections. The source report notes that people may not seek medical care or may not be tested. It cites CDC estimates that for every Salmonella patient identified in an outbreak, 29 may go undetected, and for E. coli, 26 may go undetected. Those are estimates about undercounting, not a measured multiplier for this outbreak.
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Recalls and the Seed Traceback
The FDA first reported the outbreak on Aug. 21, when 55 patients had been identified. On Aug. 22, Everything Sprouts began recalling certain alfalfa sprouts sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands, as well as Robust Radish mix, Crunchy Protein Sprout mix and Zesty Garlic mix, according to the source report.
A separate recall followed on Sept. 23. Berlin Seeds of Millersburg, Ohio, recalled 950 pounds of alfalfa sprouting seeds after its supplier notified the company that the seed could be contaminated with STEC, a group of E. coli that can produce Shiga toxin, and/or Salmonella. The report says FDA traceback identified seed lot SAL2-24JB as seed used by another sprout grower whose finished sprouts were included in the investigation. The FDA has not named the seed supplier.
The seed recall and the investigation’s link to Everything Sprouts are related strands of traceback work, but the available report does not establish that every recalled product or seed lot caused a confirmed illness. The FDA’s stated conclusion is narrower: Everything Sprouts’ alfalfa sprouts are one source, while the source of some other illnesses remains unresolved.
“Alfalfa sprouts grown by Everything Sprouts LLC is one of the sources of illnesses in this outbreak.”
— Food and Drug Administration
Cases and Sources Still Unresolved
The full number of illnesses is unknown, as is the number of people who may have been exposed but have not been diagnosed. The confirmed total reflects cases identified by Oct. 1, not a final count. The source report says the FDA has not named Berlin Seeds’ seed supplier, and it does not provide a complete account of how the supplier’s seed lot relates to every product under investigation.
It is also unclear which source accounts for the illnesses not explained by Everything Sprouts’ sprouts, whether investigators will identify additional affected products or growers, and whether the confirmed count will change. The source material provides no further case breakdown by state beyond the list of states involved.
Investigators Continue Interviews and Traceback
State and local public health officials are continuing interviews with patients about foods eaten during the week before illness. Those interviews, laboratory results and supply-chain tracing can help investigators test whether other sprout products or ingredients are linked to the cases. The FDA’s Oct. 1 update does not give a date for the next public update or say when the investigation is expected to close.
People who ate products named in the recalls and develop symptoms should contact a health professional and mention the possible exposure, the source report advises. Severe or worsening symptoms warrant prompt medical attention. Consumers can check recall information from the FDA and the companies involved for product details; the available report does not provide a complete list of lot codes or current product availability.
Key Questions
How many people are confirmed sick?
The FDA’s count as of Oct. 1 was 76 people across 16 states. It included 64 E. coli infections, nine Salmonella infections and three people with both.
Which food has been linked to the outbreak?
FDA epidemiologic and traceback evidence links alfalfa sprouts grown by Everything Sprouts LLC to some illnesses. The agency says those sprouts do not explain all reported cases.
Have any patients been hospitalized or died?
Six hospitalizations have been reported. The source report says no deaths had been reported as of the Oct. 1 update.
What products were recalled?
Everything Sprouts recalled certain alfalfa sprouts sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands, along with Robust Radish mix, Crunchy Protein Sprout mix and Zesty Garlic mix. Berlin Seeds separately recalled 950 pounds of alfalfa sprouting seeds. Check official recall notices for product and lot details.
What should someone do after possible exposure?
Anyone who ate a recalled or implicated product and becomes ill should seek medical advice and mention the possible exposure. The source report says testing is needed to diagnose these infections; symptoms alone may resemble other illnesses.
Source: rss
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