Four Pathogens, One Bag of Sprouts: 55 Sick in 15 States

At a glance

• On August 22, Everything Sprouts of Minnesota recalled alfalfa sprouts sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands, distributed May 27 to August 21 to retailers and grocery stores in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
• At least 55 people in 15 states are sick and 4 have been hospitalized. No one has died.
• The outbreak involves three Shiga toxin-producing E. coli strains and Salmonella Agona.
• Minnesota alone counted 23 illnesses between July 8 and August 8.

The issue

Sprouts are grown warm and wet, exactly what bacteria like. This August the Minnesota grower Everything Sprouts recalled alfalfa sprouts sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands to restaurants and grocery stores after health departments tied them to an unusual outbreak: three different Shiga toxin-producing E. coli strains (O26:H11, O103:H25, and O168:H8) plus Salmonella Agona.

How big it is so far

At least 55 people sick in 15 states, 4 hospitalized, no deaths. Minnesota alone counted 23 illnesses between July 8 and August 8. The recall was announced on August 22, about six weeks after the first Minnesota case.

What it means for you

Sprouts are sold loose, added to sandwiches at delis, and tucked into salads. A brand name on a recall notice does not help if you never saw the package. Fresh produce is among the categories recalled most often; here is which foods get recalled the most.

How EatSure closes the gap

EatSure scans the receipt line, not the package, so "SPROUTS ALFALFA 4OZ" on a grocery receipt is enough to match. For a restaurant meal the app cannot help, and it says so. For the bag you brought home it can, and it lists who is at risk for each organism, so a family with a child under five sees the kidney-complication warning up front.

What to do if you have them

• Check for 5-ounce containers of Calco or Everything Sprouts alfalfa sprouts with lot number 222, 223, 225, 226, or 230. Do not eat them, raw or cooked; throw them away.
• Young children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with a weakened immune system are advised to avoid raw sprouts of any kind.
• See a doctor for bloody diarrhea, or for diarrhea with a fever. In a child under five, watch for reduced urination, a sign of hemolytic uremic syndrome.