55 people sick in 15 states: the sprout outbreak and what was recalled

What was recalled

The recall covers sprouts grown and packed by Everything Sprouts, LLC of Minneapolis, Minnesota. It happened in two steps.

Aug. 22, 2026: Everything Sprouts recalled alfalfa sprouts sold under the Everything Sprouts and Calco brands in 5 oz plastic containers, lot numbers 222, 223, 225, 226 and 230. The company notice says the same alfalfa sprouts were also used in Everything Sprouts Crunchy Protein Sprout Mix 5 oz cups (lots 222, 223, 226 and 230) and Zesty Garlic Mix cups (lots 222, 223, 225, 226 and 230).

Aug. 28, 2026: the company expanded the recall to Robust Radish Mix in 5 oz cups, lots 223, 226, 230 and 233. FDA posted the expansion on Aug. 29, 2026.

This is not a recall of every sprout product on the market. Only the Everything Sprouts and Calco lots listed on the notices are affected. FDA's outbreak page is separate from the recall notices: it tracks the illnesses, while the notices list the products.

Why the sprouts were recalled

FDA says epidemiologic and traceback evidence show that alfalfa sprouts grown by Everything Sprouts are one of the sources of illness in a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (serotypes O26:H11, O103:H25 and O168:H8) and Salmonella Agona. FDA began an inspection and sample collection at the company on Aug. 19, 2026 and recommended that it conduct a recall.

The Robust Radish Mix was added on Aug. 28 because, in the company's words, it "has the potential to be contaminated with Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) or Salmonella bacteria" through cross-contamination from the recalled alfalfa sprouts.

FDA also says the alfalfa sprouts "do not explain all the illnesses." Its traceback identified at least one other sprout grower that used the same lot of alfalfa seed from a common seed supplier. FDA recommended that the supplier recall the seed lot; as of Aug. 31, 2026, FDA said the supplier had not responded to that recommendation. The investigation is ongoing.

FDA notes that STEC symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting, and that some infections can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. Salmonella illness, per FDA, usually begins 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food and lasts four to seven days.

Where the sprouts were sold

Both notices say the sprouts went to wholesale distributors and grocery stores in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The alfalfa sprouts were distributed from May 27, 2026 to Aug. 21, 2026. The Robust Radish Mix was distributed from Aug. 13, 2026 to Aug. 26, 2026.

FDA's traceback also shows that Everything Sprouts alfalfa sprouts were distributed to restaurants in Minnesota and Wisconsin. FDA says recalled products sent to restaurants should no longer be available for sale.

Product distribution has been confirmed only for MN and WI, but FDA states the products "could have been distributed further, reaching additional states," and it is working to determine whether the recalled product went elsewhere. Cases have been reported in 15 states, and FDA says the Everything Sprouts alfalfa sprouts do not explain all of the illnesses. Neither notice names specific grocery chains or restaurants.

If you bought sprouts, or a dish containing them, in Minnesota or Wisconsin between late May and late August 2026, check them against this recall.

How to identify the recalled sprouts

Everything Sprouts and Calco alfalfa sprouts come in 5 oz plastic containers. The alfalfa notice lists three bar codes, 860014523113, 860014523120 and 850079470149, and describes the affected packs as "Alfalfa 6/5oz" and "Alfalfa 12/6/5oz" packages. The Robust Radish Mix comes in 5 oz cups with barcode 087906000075. Check the lot number printed on the container against the table below. The two sprout mixes made with the recalled alfalfa, Crunchy Protein Sprout Mix and Zesty Garlic Mix, are listed as well; the notices do not give separate bar codes for them.

FDA adds one more rule: if you froze a product without its original packaging and cannot tell whether it is part of the recall, throw it away.

Reported illnesses

As of FDA's Aug. 31, 2026 update, the outbreak count stood at 55 illnesses, 4 hospitalizations and 0 deaths. Forty-six people were infected with E. coli, 7 with Salmonella and 2 with both. Illnesses started between May 31, 2026 and Aug. 8, 2026.

Cases have been reported in 15 states: Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin. Of 34 people interviewed by public health officials, 26 (76 percent) reported eating alfalfa sprouts in the week before they got sick.

The Robust Radish Mix expansion is precautionary: the company notice says that "to date, no reports of illness have been received by federal and state agencies related to Robust Radish Sprouts Mix."

FDA says anyone who ate recalled sprouts and has symptoms resembling an STEC or Salmonella infection should consult a health care provider immediately. Because the count comes from a live investigation, the numbers on FDA's page may change after this article's date.

What to do if you have recalled sprouts

FDA's recommendation is direct: do not eat, sell or serve recalled sprouts. The company notices say consumers who believe they received affected lots "should immediately dispose of them and should carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that the product may have touched." FDA's outbreak page adds that you can throw the product away or return it to the place of purchase.

Neither the company notices nor FDA's page mentions a refund or reimbursement program, so this article does not describe one. Questions about the recall go to Everything Sprouts at everythingsproutsmn@gmail.com, the only contact channel listed on the notices.

1. Check refrigerators and freezers for Everything Sprouts or Calco alfalfa sprouts, Crunchy Protein Sprout Mix, Zesty Garlic Mix or Robust Radish Mix, and compare the lot number with the table above.
2. Do not eat the product. Throw it away or return it to the place of purchase, per FDA's outbreak advisory.
3. Clean and sanitize any surfaces, containers or utensils the sprouts touched, following FDA's safe handling and cleaning advice.
4. If you ate recalled sprouts and have symptoms that resemble an STEC or Salmonella infection, contact a health care provider right away.
5. Retailers and distributors should stop selling the affected lots and dispose of them according to local protocols; retailers that repackaged recalled sprouts should not sell them.

Who issued the recall and where it stands

Both recalls are voluntary actions by Everything Sprouts, LLC, posted by FDA as company announcements. The alfalfa sprouts recall has a company announcement date and FDA publish date of Aug. 22, 2026. The Robust Radish Mix expansion has a company announcement date of Aug. 28, 2026 and an FDA publish date of Aug. 29, 2026. Neither notice lists a recall number or an FDA classification.

The outbreak investigation is run by FDA and CDC with state and local partners. FDA first posted its advisory on Aug. 21, 2026, updated it on Aug. 24 after the first recall, and updated it again on Aug. 31, 2026 after the expansion. FDA lists the status as "Ongoing" and says the advisory will be updated as more information becomes available, including whether the product reached other states.

Use FDA's outbreak page and the CDC advisory for case counts, and the two company notices for lot numbers and bar codes.

How to monitor recalls and why to keep your receipts

Outbreak counts change, so check the source rather than a screenshot. FDA posts company recalls on its recalls and safety alerts page and outbreak updates on its outbreaks page. CPSC handles consumer products at cpsc.gov/Recalls, NHTSA covers vehicles at nhtsa.gov/recalls, USDA FSIS covers meat and poultry, and FoodSafety.gov collects food alerts in one place. Retailer notifications and the brand's own site are worth a look too.

Keep your receipt and photograph the container, lot number and bar code before you throw a recalled product away. That documentation may matter if a company refund, reimbursement or a future claim program becomes available, though none is described in these notices. Other food recalls covered on Owed include the Walmart Martina mango recall and the Lundberg jasmine rice recall. Owed tracks open class action settlements, not recalls.

Glossary

STEC

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, a group of E. coli strains that FDA says can cause severe illness, including a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

Lot number

A code printed on the package that identifies a production batch. The recalled sprouts are identified by lot numbers 222 through 233, not by brand alone.

Traceback

The investigation FDA uses to follow a suspect food from the places sick people bought or ate it back to a grower or supplier.

Outbreak advisory

FDA's public page for an active foodborne illness investigation, with case counts, states, products and recommendations that are updated as the investigation continues.

Recall expansion

When a company adds products or lots to an existing recall, as Everything Sprouts did on Aug. 28, 2026 with Robust Radish Mix.

Cross-contamination

Transfer of bacteria from one food or surface to another. FDA says the Robust Radish Mix was recalled because of possible cross-contamination from the recalled alfalfa sprouts.

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