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# Sprouts outbreak grows to 55 patients in 15 states; company declines to issue recall
- URL: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2026/08/sprouts-outbreak-grows-to-55-patients-in-15-states-company-declines-to-issue-recall/
- Published: 2026-08-22T00:20:09.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-22T00:20:09.000Z
- Author: Coral Beach
- Tags: outbreaks, 2026 outbreaks, sprouts, Everything Sprouts, Calco brand, Salmonella, E. coli

The CDC has reported that the number of people infected in an outbreak of Salmonella and E. coli infections linked to alfalfa sprouts has grown to almost 60\. And, 15 states coast to coast are now involved.

The outbreak was first reported by public health officials in Minnesota and Wisconsin on Aug. 20 when there were 23 patients in Minnesota and 18 patients in Wisconsin. As of Aug. 21 the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was reporting 55 patients spread across i5 states.

The status with patients are: Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin. 

The outbreak is linked to Calco and Everything Sprouts produced by Everything Sprouts, which is a Minnesota grower. 

The Food and Drug Administration is working with Everything Sprouts and has recommended they conduct a recall. The company had not issued a recall as of Aug. 21\. 

Consumers and retailers should not eat, serve, or sell alfalfa sprouts sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands.

The outbreak patients are infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli serotypes O26:H11, O103:H25 or O168:H8 and Salmonella Agona. 

llnesses started on dates ranging from May 31, 2026, to August 8, 2026\. State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 34 people interviewed, 26 reported eating alfalfa sprouts. There have been 4 hospitalizations, but no deaths have been reported.

Epidemiologic and traceback data show that alfalfa sprouts distributed by Everything SproutsL LC of Minneapolis, MN, may be contaminated with multiple pathogens and have been identified as a source of illnesses in this outbreak.

Based on epidemiological information collected by CDC and state partners, a total of 55 people infected with multiple strains of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and one strain of Salmonella have been reported from 15 states. Some people were infected with more than one outbreak strain. Forty-six people were infected with E. coli , 7 people were infected with Salmonella, and 2 people were infected with both Salmonella and E. coli.

Traceback evidence collected from the restaurants and grocery stores identified alfalfa sprouts distributed by Everything Sprouts LLC as a source of illness in this outbreak.

On Aug. 19, 2026, FDA initiated an inspection and sample collection at Everything Sprouts, LLC. This investigation is ongoing to determine the source of contamination and whether additional products or firms are linked to illnesses.

**About E. coli infections**  
Food contaminated with E. Coli does not look, smell or taste bad.

Anyone who has eaten any of the implicated products and developed symptoms of E. coli infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about their possible exposure to the bacteria. Specific tests are required to diagnose the infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

The symptoms of E. coli infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, which is often bloody. Some patients may also have a fever. Most patients recover within five to seven days. Others can develop severe or life-threatening symptoms and complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

About 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with E. coli infections develop a potentially life-threatening kidney failure complication, known as a hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, feeling very tired, decreased frequency of urination, small unexplained bruises or bleeding, and pallor. 

Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent injuries or death. This condition can occur among people of any age but is most common in children younger than five years old because of their immature immune systems, older adults because of deteriorating immune systems, and people with compromised immune systems such as cancer patients. 

People who experience HUS symptoms should immediately seek emergency medical care. People with HUS will likely be hospitalized because the condition can cause other serious and ongoing problems such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, brain damage, and neurologic problems.

**About Salmonella infections**  
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile.

Anyone who has eaten any of the implicated products and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others