55 Illnesses Reported in Everything Sprouts Alfalfa Sprouts Recall

Federal and state health officials have logged 55 illness reports tied to alfalfa sprouts, prompting Everything Sprouts, LLC of Minneapolis, Minnesota, to pull several sprout products from store shelves in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The company announced on August 22, 2026 that certain lots of its Alfalfa Sprouts, along with two sprout-based mixes made using the same alfalfa sprouts, may carry Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) or Salmonella bacteria.

The recall covers product distributed to wholesale distributors and grocery stores over a roughly three-month window, from May 27, 2026 through August 21, 2026. Given the number of illnesses already reported and the potential severity of STEC and Salmonella infections in vulnerable groups, consumers in the affected states are being urged to check their refrigerators right away.

What Products Are Being Recalled?

The recalled items are sold under both the ‘Everything Sprouts’ and ‘Calco’ brand names, packaged in individual 5oz plastic containers. Affected bar codes include 860014523113, 860014523120 and 850079470149, covering Alfalfa 6/5oz and Alfalfa 12/6/5oz packages with lot numbers 222, 223, 225, 226 and 230.

The same lots of alfalfa sprouts were also incorporated into two additional products: the Everything Sprouts Crunchy Protein Sprout Mix 5oz cups (lots 222, 223, 226 and 230) and the Zesty Garlic Mix cups (lots 222, 223, 225, 226 and 230). The company has provided sample product labels with matching bar codes to help shoppers identify affected packages.

Why Was This Recall Issued?

Testing or investigation raised concerns that the sprouts could be contaminated with STEC or Salmonella. STEC strains, including E. coli O26:H11, O103:H25 and O168:H8, can cause an acute diarrheal illness, often bloody, within days of exposure. Most healthy adults recover within a week, but young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) — a serious condition involving red blood cell destruction, low platelet counts and kidney failure that can be fatal.

Salmonella infection typically causes gastroenteritis, with nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps appearing six to 72 hours after exposure. While usually self-limiting in healthy individuals, it can turn dangerous for infants, adults over 65, and immunocompromised patients, occasionally spreading into the bloodstream and causing infections such as endocarditis or septic arthritis.

Where Were These Products Sold?

Everything Sprouts distributed the recalled products to wholesale distributors and grocery stores located specifically in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Anyone who shops at retailers supplied by Everything Sprouts in these two states should treat the recall as directly relevant to them, particularly households with young children, older adults, or anyone with a compromised immune system.

What Consumers Need to Do Now

• Check your refrigerator for Everything Sprouts or Calco brand Alfalfa Sprouts, Crunchy Protein Sprout Mix, or Zesty Garlic Mix cups matching the bar codes and lot numbers listed above.
• Do not eat the recalled sprouts or sprout mixes, even if some of the product has already been consumed without symptoms.
• Throw away any affected packages immediately rather than returning them to the store.
• Thoroughly clean and sanitize refrigerator shelves, drawers, containers and any surfaces the sprouts may have touched, since bacteria can spread to other food.
• Watch for symptoms such as diarrhea (including bloody diarrhea), stomach cramps, vomiting or fever, and contact a healthcare provider if they appear.

Retailers and distributors who received the affected lots are instructed to immediately stop selling them, remove remaining inventory, dispose of it according to local protocols, and sanitize any surfaces or equipment the sprouts contacted.

What the Company Said

Everything Sprouts said it is working closely with public health officials to investigate the source of the contamination and has committed to providing updates as the inquiry continues. The company has not detailed the exact cause of the potential contamination in its public statement.

Consumers with questions about the recall can reach Everything Sprouts by email at everythingsproutsmn@gmail.com. The FDA notes that it posts company recall announcements as a public service and does not endorse the product or the company involved.