A nationwide recall of sprouts has been expanded as life-threatening pathogens have been detected in additional product batches. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the expansion on Friday, which now includes certain lots of Robust Radish Sprout Mix potentially contaminated with Salmonella and E. coli bacteria.
Earlier this month, Minnesota-based Everything Sprouts, LLC, initiated a voluntary recall of several batches of alfalfa sprouts under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands due to the possible presence of these same bacteria. The expanded recall comes as the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on August 24 reports 55 people have been sickened and four hospitalized in 15 states as a result of the contaminated sprouts.
Illnesses have been reported in Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin. Minnesota and Wisconsin have the highest concentrations of cases, with 21 and 17 reported cases respectively.
While most individuals exposed to Salmonella and E. coli recover on their own, vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems, are at risk of severe complications. The specific strain of E. coli involved in this recall produces Shiga toxins, which can damage the gut lining and lead to severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. In severe cases, vulnerable individuals may develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening kidney complication that can lead to kidney failure.
The FDA has advised consumers who purchased the recalled sprouts to discard them immediately and to thoroughly clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that may have come into contact with the products.
According to the CDC, illnesses linked to the outbreak occurred between May 31 and August 8. Health officials caution that the full impact may still be unknown, as it can take several weeks to confirm an outbreak and many individuals recover without seeking medical care or undergoing formal testing. Of the 34 individuals interviewed by authorities, 76 percent reported eating alfalfa sprouts.
The newly recalled Robust Radish Sprout Mix was distributed by Everything Sprouts to wholesale distributors and grocery stores in Minnesota and Wisconsin between August 13 and August 26. The affected products were sold in 5-ounce cups with the barcode 087906000075 and lot numbers 223, 226, 230, and 233.
This recall follows an FDA warning letter issued to Everything Sprouts, LLC, on March 28, 2025, detailing "serious violations" observed during a facility inspection last year. Inspectors reported issues such as roof leaks dripping water onto produce and clean employee smocks, as well as a "build-up of black organic matter" on a hose used in the irrigation system. The FDA has not confirmed a direct link between these inspection findings and the current outbreak.
E. coli typically contaminates food through undercooked meat, unpasteurized dairy, or raw produce like sprouts. The bacteria can survive freezing temperatures and reactivate in warmer environments. Symptoms of E. coli infection usually appear two to eight days after exposure and can include bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps, with most people recovering within a week. HUS is a more severe complication, particularly in young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
Salmonella infections, which can cause diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, and dehydration, are particularly serious for young children, adults over 65, and those with weakened immune systems. The CDC estimates that Salmonella causes approximately 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the U.S. annually. While most cases are managed with hydration and rest, severe infections can spread beyond the gastrointestinal tract, leading to complications such as endocarditis, osteomyelitis, meningitis, or septic arthritis, which require prompt antibiotic treatment. Invasive salmonellosis can also result in long-term issues like reactive arthritis or post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome.
Salmonella is known for its resilience, capable of surviving on surfaces for weeks, making its complete elimination from food production facilities challenging. Because contaminated foods often show no outward signs of spoilage, recalls are the primary method of protecting consumers.