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By Alice Gibbs
Senior Reporter
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A multistate salmonella outbreak linked to recalled broccoli sprouts has left at least 22 people across four states unwell, prompting a warning from federal health officials and a recall of products distributed across the Northwest.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Wednesday that it is investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Bovismorbificans infections connected to broccoli sprouts produced by Idaho-based Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, LLC. Twenty-two illnesses have been reported in four states, with two people hospitalized and no deaths recorded. The CDC says the outbreak investigation remains ongoing.
Health officials warned consumers not to eat the recalled sprouts and advised anyone who has purchased them to throw them away or return them to the place of purchase. The products were sold to grocery stores, restaurants, food-service customers and food co-ops, meaning additional distribution beyond the originally identified states may have occurred.
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The company's raw clover sprouts were linked to a multistate outbreak of Escherichia coli O121 infections in 2014, according to the CDC. The outbreak sickened people in multiple states and prompted public health officials to warn consumers against eating certain raw clover sprouts. The CDC ultimately declared the outbreak over later that year.
Food Safety News also reported that Evergreen Fresh Sprouts LLC was associated with a salmonella outbreak investigation in 2011, making the current outbreak at least the third sprout-related illness event connected to the Idaho producer.
Newsweek reached out to Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, LLC via email for comment.
The broccoli sprout recall is the latest in a string of food safety alerts that have heightened consumer concern about contamination risks in the U.S. food supply, with recalls and outbreak investigations drawing increased public attention in recent years.
Which States Are Affected by the Salmonella Outbreak?
According to the CDC, illnesses have been reported in four states: Idaho, Montana, Utah and Washington. Reported illnesses began between July 7 and August 26. Federal investigators cautioned that the true number of cases is likely higher because many people recover without medical care or testing.
Investigators interviewed 19 people who became ill. All 19 reported eating sprouts in the week before becoming sick, while 17 specifically reported eating broccoli sprouts, evidence the CDC said strongly points to the recalled product as the source of the outbreak.
How Many Broccoli Sprout Salmonella Cases Are There?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 22 people have reported illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Bovismorbificans. Two people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.
The CDC noted that this outbreak does not seem to be related to other recent multistate Salmonella and E. coli outbreaks traced to alfalfa sprouts produced by Everything Fresh Sprouts, LLC.
What Broccoli Sprouts Have Been Recalled?
The outbreak has been linked to broccoli sprouts produced by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, LLC of Moyie Springs, Idaho. According to the CDC, the recalled products were sold in plastic bags or plastic clamshell containers with expiration dates of September 7, September 9, September 11, September 14 and September 16.
The sprouts were distributed in Idaho, Montana and Washington, although officials said the products may have been distributed further and reached additional states.
Federal and state investigators identified Evergreen Fresh Sprouts as the common grower connected to the illnesses. A sample of broccoli sprouts tested positive for the same strain of salmonella involved in the outbreak, according to the CDC and FDA investigation.
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What Are the Symptoms of Salmonella Poisoning?
The CDC says salmonella infections commonly cause diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. Symptoms typically begin after consuming contaminated food, although illness can range from mild to severe.
Health officials advise seeking medical attention if symptoms include diarrhea accompanied by a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, bloody diarrhea, persistent vomiting, signs of dehydration, or diarrhea that lasts more than two days without improvement. Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of severe illness.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Rebecca Flood and Emma Lee-Sang
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