Key Takeaway:
- 22 Salmonella cases linked to recalled broccoli sprouts across four states, with two hospitalizations and no deaths.
- Evergreen Fresh Sprouts in Idaho was identified as the common grower; the company recalled affected sprouts Sept. 4.
- Consumers, retailers, and restaurants should not eat, sell, or serve the recalled broccoli sprouts.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating a multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to recalled broccoli sprouts, with 22 illnesses and two hospitalizations reported in four states.
Agencies identify common sprout grower
The illnesses were reported in Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Washington, according to the FDA. No deaths have been reported, and the investigation into the Salmonella outbreak, tied to sprouts among the foods that commonly cause food poisoning, remains ongoing.
Traceback investigations identified Evergreen Fresh Sprouts LLC of Moyie Springs, Idaho, as the common grower of broccoli sprouts eaten by patients before they became ill. The FDA said illnesses began between July 7 and Aug. 26.
Of 19 people interviewed by public health officials, all reported eating sprouts and 17 specifically reported eating broccoli sprouts. The outbreak strain has been identified as Salmonella Bovismorbificans.
Recall covers broccoli sprouts
Evergreen Fresh Sprouts initiated a recall Sept. 4 after Montana state officials found Salmonella in a broccoli sprout sample. Whole genome sequencing showed the bacteria in that sample matched the outbreak strain, the FDA said.
The FDA advised consumers, restaurants and retailers not to eat, sell or serve recalled broccoli sprouts grown by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts. The recalled products have expiration dates of Sept. 7, 9, 11, 14 and 16.
The recalled sprouts were distributed to grocery stores, restaurants and food-service customers in Idaho, Montana and Washington, although the product may have reached additional states.
Salmonella can cause severe illness
Salmonella infections can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Symptoms typically begin 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food and usually last four to seven days, according to the FDA and CDC guidance on Salmonella symptoms.
Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems face a greater risk of severe illness, the agency said. Consumers who develop symptoms after eating recalled sprouts should contact a health care provider.
The latest Salmonella outbreak investigation comes as federal and state health authorities continue examining other foodborne illness outbreaks involving produce, including separate investigations involving alfalfa sprouts and lettuce.
Broccoli sprouts are produced by germinating broccoli seeds in water for several days and are typically eaten whole. The FDA has said its investigation into the current outbreak is continuing and that its advisory will be updated as more information becomes available.
