Published Aug. 22, 2026
Federal health officials are investigating an E. coli and Salmonella outbreak involving alfalfa sprouts. Iowa is one of 15 states with illnesses.
The outbreak has sickened 55 people. Four of them needed hospital care.
Everything Sprouts grew the products. Retailers sold them under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brand names. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises consumers not to eat them.
Some supermarkets, restaurants and other businesses may have received the sprouts in bulk and repackaged them. So far, health officials have not released a full list of Iowa stores or restaurants that received the products.
Outbreak at a glance
- Product: Alfalfa sprouts
- Brands: Calco and Everything Sprouts
- Illnesses: 55
- Hospital stays: 4
- Deaths: None reported
- States with illnesses: 15, including Iowa
Which alfalfa sprouts should consumers avoid?
The alert covers alfalfa sprouts that Everything Sprouts grew and sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts names.
It includes sprouts in their original packages. It may also include bulk sprouts that other businesses repackaged.
As of Aug. 22, the Food and Drug Administration had not released lot numbers, UPC codes or best-by dates. The agency also had not named every business that received the sprouts.
Because of this, the purchase date or store name may not identify the product.
Consumers can check packages for the brand name. Federal officials also recommend throwing away sprouts that no longer have a label or original package. This advice includes frozen sprouts that consumers cannot identify.
What should you do with sprouts in your refrigerator?
CDC and FDA advise consumers not to eat the products. Instead, return them to the store or throw them away.
Next, clean any container or surface that touched the sprouts. Use hot, soapy water. A dishwasher can also clean dishwasher-safe items.
Remember to clean refrigerator shelves, reusable containers, plates and utensils. Rinsing the sprouts does not make them safe to eat.
Iowa is among the 15 states with illnesses
Federal officials list Iowa among the states in the outbreak. The other states are Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin.
KCRG reported one illness in Iowa. However, federal officials have not identified the county, store or business connected with that illness.
A patient’s home state also does not show where that person bought or ate the sprouts. Therefore, the illness count does not reveal how Everything Sprouts distributed its products within Iowa.
Meanwhile, Iowa continues to monitor other foodborne illnesses. A separate investigation brought the state’s total to 300 Cyclospora infections across 55 counties.
The company recall covers fewer products than the federal warning
Everything Sprouts announced a voluntary recall Aug. 21. The recall covers alfalfa sprouts in five-ounce plastic containers.
The company sent those packages to certain distributors and grocery stores in Minnesota and Wisconsin beginning May 27.
However, the recall notice lists no lot numbers, UPC codes or best-by dates. It also does not mention the Calco brand.
As a result, the CDC and FDA warning covers more products than the company recall. Federal officials advise consumers not to eat Calco or Everything Sprouts alfalfa sprouts while they trace the distribution.
E. coli and Salmonella cause different symptoms
Shiga toxin-producing E. coli can cause severe stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. The diarrhea often contains blood.
In some cases, the infection can damage the kidneys. This serious condition is called hemolytic uremic syndrome.
Salmonella often causes diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. Children younger than 5 and adults 65 or older face a higher risk of serious illness. The risk also rises for people with weakened immune systems.
Two people tested positive for both pathogens.
When to call a health care provider
CDC advises calling a health care provider right away for any of these symptoms:
- Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
- Diarrhea that lasts more than two days without improving
- Bloody diarrhea
- Vomiting that prevents you from keeping liquids down
- Limited urination, a dry mouth or dizziness when standing
Health officials continue to investigate
Tests found E. coli in 46 people and Salmonella in seven. Two additional people tested positive for both pathogens.
Four people needed hospital care. Officials have reported no deaths.
The known illnesses began between May 31 and Aug. 8. Investigators interviewed 34 people. Of those, 26 said they ate alfalfa sprouts before they became sick.
FDA began inspecting Everything Sprouts and collecting samples Aug. 19. The agency continues to trace the products and identify businesses that received them.
Future updates may include lot numbers, package photos or a list of Iowa businesses that received the sprouts.
Check the current CDC food safety alert before eating alfalfa sprouts from either brand.
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