A multistate outbreak of E. coli and salmonella linked to alfalfa sprouts has sickened at least 55 people across 15 states and hospitalized four, federal health officials said Friday.
The Food and Drug Administration traced the outbreak to Everything Sprouts, a Minneapolis-based grower. The sprouts were distributed under the Everything Sprouts and Calco brands and sold to restaurants and grocery stores, according to CBS News.
Everything Sprouts announced Friday it was voluntarily recalling certain lots of alfalfa sprouts that could potentially be contaminated with the Shiga toxin, which can produce E. coli and salmonella. The recalled sprouts were supplied starting May 27 to third-party distributors and retail grocery stores in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Some of the recalled sprouts come in 5-ounce plastic containers with a lid.
Everything Sprouts said in a statement that it has conducted daily tests since the outbreak began and has "not received any positive lab results."
"To date, no reports of illnesses involving Everyday Sprouts Alfalfa Sprouts have been reported to the company," Everything Sprouts said.
The FDA said that of the 55 confirmed cases, 46 were infected with E. coli, seven with salmonella, and two with both illnesses. The illnesses were reported from May 31 to Aug. 8.
Minnesota and Wisconsin reported the most cases. The Minnesota Department of Health said there were at least 23 cases in the state between July 8 and Aug. 8, with two hospitalizations. Wisconsin reported at least 17 cases with one hospitalization.
Other states with confirmed cases include Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Washington.
The CDC said symptoms of E. coli caused by the Shiga toxin can include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that could be bloody, and vomiting. Salmonella symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
The recall follows a separate and ongoing salmonella outbreak linked to jalapeño peppers grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, which has sickened more than 400 people across 32 states since it was first reported in June.
