CDC, FDA tie 15-state E. coli, salmonella outbreak to Minneapolis sprouts firm Everything Sprouts; lawsuits now target company
The CDC and FDA tied a multistate E. coli and salmonella outbreak to alfalfa sprouts grown by Minneapolis-based Everything Sprouts.[1]
Two Wisconsin consumers infected with salmonella have filed lawsuits against Everything Sprouts.[2]
At least 55 people in 15 states have been sickened; four were hospitalized and two patients had both Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and salmonella.[1] CDC's case window runs from May 31 to Aug. 8, and 26 of 34 interviewed patients reported eating alfalfa sprouts before illness.[1] The FDA recommended Everything Sprouts conduct a recall, and the company issued a voluntary recall late Friday covering specific alfalfa sprout batches sold under the Everything Sprouts and Calco brands.[2] CDC and FDA advised consumers and businesses not to eat, sell, or serve the affected sprouts and to sanitize surfaces that contacted them.[1]
Authorities tied the outbreak specifically to Everything Sprouts' Minnehaha Avenue facility in south Minneapolis.[3] The FDA sent a March 2025 warning letter documenting "serious violations," including roof leaks dripping onto totes of exposed sprouts and failure to clean and sanitize food-contact surfaces.[3] FDA later said the company's promised repairs were "incomplete" and could make sanitizing more difficult.[3] University of Minnesota food-safety specialist Autumn Stoll explained that sprouts are inherently high-risk and that contaminated water or animal-feces-derived pathogens can enter production systems.[3]
Early Fox 9 reports emphasized illnesses linked to alfalfa sprouts without naming a grower.[4] Subsequent Fox 9 stories identified Everything Sprouts and documented its inspection history, prompting scrutiny from food-safety lawyers.[3] Attorney Bill Marler, who represents the two Wisconsin plaintiffs, said Everything Sprouts is "definitely on the hook" and also faulted regulators for allowing the facility to keep operating.[2] Everything Sprouts said in its recall letter that it has tested its sprouts since the outbreak began and "has not found any issues," but the company did not respond to additional inquiries.[2]
Show source details & analysis (4 sources)
📌 Key Facts
- The CDC and FDA report at least 55 people sick in 15 states from E. coli and salmonella linked to alfalfa sprouts grown by Everything Sprouts and sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands (CDC; reported Aug. 21, 2026).
- Four people have been hospitalized, two patients were infected with both Shiga toxin–producing E. coli and salmonella, and no deaths have been reported (four people).
- CDC’s case window runs from May 31 to Aug. 8, 2026, and 26 of 34 interviewed patients (76%) reported eating alfalfa sprouts before illness (CDC’s case window).
- FDA has been working directly with Everything Sprouts and recommended the company conduct a recall; a voluntary recall issued late Friday covers specific alfalfa sprout batches sold under the Everything Sprouts and Calco brands (voluntary recall).
- FDA sent a March 2025 warning letter to Everything Sprouts citing “serious violations,” including roof leaks dripping onto totes of exposed sprouts and failure to clean and sanitize food-contact surfaces, and later said promised repairs were “incomplete” (March 2025 warning letter).
- Two Wisconsin consumers infected with salmonella plan to sue Everything Sprouts; they are represented by food-safety attorney Bill Marler, who says the grower is “definitely on the hook” and also criticized regulators for allowing the facility to keep operating (Bill Marler).
- Everything Sprouts says in its recall letter that it has tested its sprouts since the outbreak began and “has not found any issues,” but the company could not be reached for additional comment (Everything Sprouts).
- Authorities tied the outbreak specifically to Everything Sprouts’ south Minneapolis operation at its Minnehaha Avenue facility, not just to generic “Minnesota-grown alfalfa sprouts” (Minnehaha Avenue facility).
📰 Source Timeline (4)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Two Wisconsin consumers infected with salmonella plan to sue Everything Sprouts; one was hospitalized.
- Food-safety attorney Bill Marler is representing those consumers and publicly argues the sprout grower is 'definitely on the hook' as a manufacturer given its regulatory history.
- Marler explicitly questions why Everything Sprouts was still operating in 2026 after FDA documented 'serious violations' including a leaking roof and dirty surfaces in a March 2025 warning letter.
- Marler also blames FDA for 'dropping the ball,' saying regulators share responsibility for allowing the facility to keep running.
- Everything Sprouts says in its recall letter that it has tested its sprouts since the outbreak began and 'has not found any issues,' but the company has not responded to FOX 9’s inquiries.
- The article reconfirms that the voluntary recall, issued late Friday, covers specific alfalfa sprout batches sold under both the Everything Sprouts and Calco brands.
- Confirms the distributor is Everything Sprouts in south Minneapolis and that the outbreak is tied to its Minnehaha Avenue facility, not just 'Minnesota-grown alfalfa sprouts.'
- Specifies the outbreak covers 55 illnesses across 15 states with four hospitalizations and an illness window between May and August.
- Reveals that FDA sent a March 2025 warning letter to Everything Sprouts citing 'serious violations,' including roof leaks dripping onto totes of exposed mung bean sprouts and failure to clean and sanitize food contact surfaces.
- Reports that FDA said the company's promised repairs were 'incomplete' and could make sanitizing surfaces 'increasingly difficult.'
- Includes expert commentary from University of Minnesota food safety specialist Autumn Stoll explaining why sprouts are inherently high-risk and how contaminated water or animal-feces-derived pathogens like salmonella and E. coli can enter the production system.
- States that Everything Sprouts could not be reached for comment in response to the latest outbreak linkage and regulatory history.
- CDC and FDA now report at least 55 people sick in 15 states from E. coli and salmonella linked to alfalfa sprouts grown by Everything Sprouts and sold under Calco and Everything Sprouts brands.
- Four people have been hospitalized and two patients were infected with both Shiga toxin–producing E. coli and salmonella; no deaths reported.
- CDC’s case window runs from May 31 to Aug. 8, 2026, and 26 of 34 interviewed patients (76%) reported eating alfalfa sprouts before illness.
- FDA says it is working directly with Everything Sprouts and has recommended the company conduct a recall.
- CDC and FDA issued explicit national guidance that consumers and businesses should not eat, sell, or serve the affected sprouts and should sanitize any surfaces that contacted them.