Minnesota health officials are warning consumers not to eat certain brands of alfalfa sprouts after the products were tied to at least 41 illnesses across two states. The outbreak involves multiple strains of disease-causing bacteria, a combination that food safety experts say is highly unusual.
According to a report by the Associated Press, officials say 23 people in Minnesota have become ill with either E. coli or salmonella infections, with two of them hospitalized. Wisconsin investigators identified another 18 cases connected to the same product. The illnesses are linked to alfalfa sprouts produced by Everything Sprouts, a Minnesota grower, sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brand names to restaurants and grocery stores.
The bacteria involved span three separate strains. Three people had salmonella, one of whom also had a strain of E. coli called STEC O168:H8. Seven others were sickened with a different version, STEC O103:H25. Thirteen more had yet another strain, STEC O26:H11.
Food safety attorney Bill Marler, a Seattle lawyer who has worked on food safety cases for decades, noted that most outbreaks involve a single pathogen. "It's very unusual to have two bugs," Marler said. He added that alfalfa sprouts are a known risk food. Seeds can easily harbor contaminants, are difficult to clean, and conditions during growing, specifically warm water, make it easy for bacteria to spread.
Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, known as STEC, can cause stomach cramps and bloody diarrhea. In serious cases, infections can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe complication involving acute kidney failure. Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever, severe vomiting, dehydration, and stomach cramps.
Minnesota investigators said they are working with Wisconsin and federal health officials to determine the full scope and source of the contamination.
