The Oregon Department of Agriculture warned residents Tuesday, Sept. 15, to check their refrigerators for recalled alfalfa sprouts after federal investigators confirmed the contaminated seed lot reached Oregon.
The recall covers sprouts sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands, linked to a multistate outbreak that has sickened 55 people across 15 states.
Four people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported, according to the FDA.
No Oregon cases have been confirmed. But the recalled seed lot was shipped to sprout growers and wholesale distributors in the state, and the FDA said it is still working to trace the full distribution chain.
What to throw away
Everything Sprouts, LLC, based in Minneapolis, first recalled its alfalfa sprouts Aug. 22. The company expanded the recall Aug. 28 to include Robust Radish Sprout Mix.
All recalled products come in 5-ounce plastic containers. Here are the affected lot numbers:
- Alfalfa Sprouts (Calco and Everything Sprouts brands): Lot 222, 223, 225, 226, 230
- Crunchy Protein Sprout Mix: Lot 222, 223, 226, 230
- Zesty Garlic Mix: Lot 222, 223, 225, 226, 230
- Robust Radish Sprout Mix: Lot 223, 226, 230, 233
The alfalfa sprouts were distributed from May 27 through Aug. 21. The Robust Radish Mix was distributed from Aug. 13 through Aug. 26.
Everything Sprouts distributed the finished products to grocery stores and restaurants in Minnesota and Wisconsin. In Oregon, the contaminated seed lot reached sprout growers and wholesale distributors, but specific retail locations have not been disclosed.
Seed supplier recalls 43,799 pounds
On Sept. 15, the seed supplier agreed to recall the alfalfa seed lot tied to the outbreak. International Sprout Holdings, Inc., doing business as International Specialty Supply out of Cookeville, Tennessee, recalled 43,799 pounds of alfalfa seeds under lot ISS Lot # SAL2-24JB, eFoodAlert reported.
Those seeds were shipped to 16 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Tahiti and Venezuela.
The FDA's traceback investigation also identified at least one additional unnamed sprout grower who received the same contaminated seed lot. No second sprout recall has been announced.
Two pathogens in one outbreak
This outbreak involves two pathogens at once. Of the 55 people sickened, 46 were infected with E. coli, seven with Salmonella and two with both.
Food safety attorney Bill Marler told NBC News in August that the dual contamination stands out. "It's very unusual to have two bugs," Marler said.
The FDA had issued Everything Sprouts a warning letter in March 2025 following an inspection that found insanitary conditions at the company's facility, including a roof leaking water onto exposed sprouts near packaging tables, ABC News reported.
Symptoms to watch for
E. coli symptoms can appear up to nine days after eating contaminated food. They include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting. Some infections cause bloody diarrhea and can lead to serious complications including kidney disease.
Salmonella symptoms typically appear within 12 to 72 hours and last four to seven days. Children younger than 5, older adults and people with weakened immune systems face the highest risk of severe illness.
What to do now
The Oregon Department of Agriculture advises residents to throw away or return any recalled sprouts, clean surfaces the products may have touched and contact a health care provider if symptoms develop.
The FDA's investigation remains ongoing. Which specific Oregon stores or distributors received the recalled products has not been publicly disclosed.
