WARNING: 55 People Sickened Across 15 States In Salmonella And E. Coli Outbreak Tied To Everything Sprouts’ Alfalfa Sprouts, After The F.D.A Had Warned The Company Of “Serious Violations” Last Year ⚠️🦠

At least 55 people have been sickened in a salmonella and E. coli outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts across 15 states, with at least four people hospitalized, according to ABC News citing an official notice from the FDA and CDC. Of those infected, 46 people had E. coli, seven had salmonella, and two were infected with both pathogens simultaneously. Illnesses began between May 31 and August 8, and officials caution the true number of sick individuals is likely higher than currently reported, since foodborne illness cases are often underdiagnosed or underreported.

Minnesota’s Department of Health identified the source as alfalfa sprouts produced by Everything Sprouts, a Minnesota-based grower, and sold under both the Calco and Everything Sprouts brand names to restaurants and grocery stores. “The illnesses have been linked to eating alfalfa sprouts produced by Everything Sprouts, a Minnesota grower, and sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands to restaurants and grocery stores,” the department said in a statement. “Health officials recommend people check for alfalfa sprouts from Calco or Everything Sprouts, not eat them, and throw them away.” The FDA launched an inspection and sample collection at the company’s facility on August 19 and recommended it initiate a recall, while separately warning consumers and retailers not to eat or serve the potentially contaminated products.

This isn’t the company’s first brush with FDA scrutiny. The agency had previously warned Everything Sprouts last year of “serious violations” following an inspection that found the facility had “insanitary conditions whereby \[produce\] may have become contaminated with filth, or whereby they may have been rendered injurious to health.” That earlier inspection uncovered specific problems including roof leaks dripping water directly onto produce and clean employee smocks, along with a “build-up of black organic matter” found on a hose belonging to the facility’s overhead irrigation system. ABC News has reached out to Everything Sprouts for comment.