CDC declares over the E. coli and salmonella outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts in the U.S.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared over a dual outbreak of E. coli and salmonella linked to alfalfa sprouts and the seeds used to grow them, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The outbreak, unusual because it involved more than one pathogen — Salmonella Agona and several strains of E. coli — caused at least 77 illnesses in 16 states, with six hospitalizations and no deaths. Cases were recorded between May 31 and October 19.

The investigation linked the outbreak to sprouts from Everything Sprouts, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and seeds from Berlin Seeds, of Millersburg, Ohio. The FDA closed its investigation on November 9 but refused to publicly name the seed supplier: it only identified seed lot SAL2-24JB, with an expiration date of December 31, 2029.

It is the second sprout outbreak the CDC has closed in five days: on November 4 it closed another one linked to broccoli sprouts from Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, in Idaho. Together they caused 111 illnesses in 19 states and nine hospitalizations, with no deaths. Authorities remind the public that raw sprouts are a risky food, especially for children, pregnant women, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

Photo: CDC

Source: Food Safety News