The CDC is investigating a new Salmonella outbreak linked to fresh sprouts.
The multistate outbreak has sickened 55 people across four states, hospitalizing two. The Food and Drug Administration is reporting that the Salmonella Bovismorbificans infections are linked to broccoli sprouts produced by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts LLC of Moyie Springs, ID.
The sick people live in Idaho, Montana, Utah and Washington. The company reports that its sprouts were distributed in Idaho, Montana and Washington but may have been further distributed.
This outbreak is separate from a Salmonella outbreak linked to Everything Sprouts LLC.
In the outbreak linked to Evergreen Sprouts, illnesses began on July 7 with the most recent person becoming ill on Aug. 26. Of 19 people with information available, all 19 reported eating sprouts and 17 reported eating broccoli sprouts.
Traceback investigations by the FDA and state health officials have identified Evergreen Fresh Sprouts LLC as the common grower of broccoli sprouts that were eaten by patients before becoming ill.
On Sept. 4, Evergreen Fresh Sprouts LLC initiated a recall of broccoli sprouts based on a positive Salmonella result from a broccoli sprouts sample collected and analyzed by Montana state officials. According to whole genome sequencing analysis conducted by state partners and reviewed by FDA, the positive sample is the same strain of Salmonella that is causing illnesses in this outbreak.
Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled broccoli sprouts grown by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts LLC with expiration dates of Sept. 7, 9, 11, 14, and 16.
Previous outbreaks
This is the third outbreak since 2011 linked to Evergreen Sprouts. In 2011, 25 people in five states were infected with Salmonella Enteritidis from alfalfa and spicy sprouts sold under the Evergreen Produce label.
The FDA warned consumers directly on June 27 that year, a step the agency generally takes only when a company will not recall, and the co-owner told the trade press that recalling would amount to admitting guilt. The company ultimately recalled sprouts on July 1.
In 2014, 19 people in six states were infected with E. coli O121 traced to raw clover sprouts served at sandwich shops in Washington and Idaho.
FDA has inspected this company several times since 2010. The inspection that followed the 2011 outbreak produced a formal warning letter. Most of the inspections since then, including the 2014 inspection, were classified Voluntary Action Indicated, meaning the agency found things it wanted fixed but left the fixing to the firm. The most recent inspection was in 2024, also Voluntary Action Indicated.
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 Evergreen sprouts 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.
