Alfalfa sprouts linked to food poisoning illnesses in these states
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Key Points:
- Minnesota health officials have warned consumers to avoid certain brands of alfalfa sprouts linked to an outbreak involving multiple bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella, with 23 people ill and two hospitalized in Minnesota.
- The infections involve different strains of E. coli (STEC O168:H8, STEC O103:H25, STEC O26:H11) and salmonella, with additional 18 cases reported in Wisconsin connected to the same sprouts.
- The contaminated alfalfa sprouts were produced by Everything Sprouts in Minnesota and sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands to restaurants and grocery stores.
- Health officials from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and federal agencies are collaborating to identify the source and extent of the contamination.
- Experts note that alfalfa sprouts are prone to contamination due to the difficulty in cleaning seeds and the warm, moist conditions favorable for bacterial growth; infections can cause severe gastrointestinal illness and complications.
