Health authorities in the United States are addressing an outbreak of food poisoning across 15 states linked to alfalfa sprouts. Multiple pathogens have been identified in this outbreak.
State officials announced the outbreak earlier this week. Over three dozen cases were documented in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Friday that a total of 55 cases are known nationwide, with four individuals hospitalized.
Additional cases were reported in Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Washington. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), of the 34 people interviewed who fell ill, 26 consumed alfalfa sprouts.
While food poisoning outbreaks are typically linked to a single pathogen, this one involves cases of salmonella and several strains of E. coli. The Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) can cause severe stomach cramps and bloody diarrhea. This infection can lead to a serious complication involving acute kidney failure.
Salmonella poisoning triggers symptoms like diarrhea, fever, severe vomiting, dehydration, and stomach cramps. Authorities linked the cases to alfalfa sprouts produced by Everything Sprouts based in Minnesota. These were sold under Calco and Everything Sprouts brands to restaurants and grocery stores.
The FDA disclosed that Everything Sprouts has not issued a recall. Last year, the FDA issued a warning to Everything Sprouts, citing several concerns during inspections. These included a leaky roof dripping water onto bean sprouts and workers’ coats.
The Associated Press attempted to reach Everything Sprouts for comments without success.
The Department of Health and Science at The Associated Press receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. AP remains solely responsible for the content.
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