Alfalfa Seed Recall Expands Amid Multi-State Bacteria Outbreak

Berlin Seeds has announced an urgent recall of approximately 950 pounds of its Alfalfa Sprouting Seed, citing the potential for contamination with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and Salmonella. The recalled product, sold in various sizes from 1/4 pound to 50 pounds, was distributed by the Ohio-based company through its retail store and website between February 13 and August 23, 2026, to customers in 44 states.

One illness has been reported directly to Berlin Seeds. The recall was triggered after the company's seed supplier informed them that the seeds were used by a sprout grower whose finished sprouts were part of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation into a multi-state E. coli and Salmonella outbreak. The supplier also notified Berlin Seeds that a water sample used for produce irrigation tested positive for E. coli.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and FDA are jointly investigating the multi-state outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts. As of September 1, the CDC reported that the outbreak has sickened 55 people and led to four hospitalizations across 15 states. The CDC noted that at least two recalls have been connected to this outbreak, including alfalfa sprouts and radish sprouts sold by Everything Sprouts, LLC.

The states where the recalled Berlin Seeds product was sold include Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Health officials are advising consumers who purchased the recalled sprouts not to consume them. They should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase for a full refund. Additionally, consumers are urged to thoroughly wash any items or surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled sprouts using hot, soapy water or a dishwasher.

Individuals experiencing symptoms after consuming the sprouts, such as a temperature above 102°F or diarrhea that persists for more than two days, are advised to seek immediate medical attention from their primary care physician. The E. coli strain involved can cause severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. In severe cases, it can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially fatal kidney condition. Salmonella infections can cause diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, and dehydration, and in some cases, can spread to the bloodstream, causing sepsis.

While the exact source of the contamination in this specific recall was not detailed, food can become contaminated through exposure to or irrigation with water containing animal feces. Bacteria can also spread to machinery during processing, contaminating other products.

E. coli typically causes illness within two to eight days of exposure, with symptoms including bloody diarrhea and vomiting. Most individuals recover within a week, though HUS can develop, particularly in young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. Salmonella infections, which cause approximately 1.35 million infections, 23,000 hospitalizations, and 450 deaths annually in the U.S., can also lead to severe complications requiring medical intervention, including antibiotics.