The CDC and FDA have declared an end to an outbreak of Salmonella Bovismorbificans infections linked to broccoli sprouts and microgreens.
The agencies reported that the sprouts were grown from a contaminated seed lot imported from New Zealand, but neither revealed the name of the seed company.
The outbreak sickened 34 people across six states, with three requiring hospitalization. The sick people ranged in age from 2 to 87 years old. They lived in Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, Utah and Washington.
The illnesses started on dates ranging from July 7 to Sept. 11. Of the 30 people interviewed, 29 reported eating sprouts or microgreens before becoming ill.
There were likely many more patients in the outbreak than were included in the official count. This is because some patients do not seek medical and others are not specifically tested for Salmonella infection. The CDC estimates that for every confirmed patient in a Salmonella outbreak there are 29 who go undetected.
Evergreen Fresh Sprouts-brand broccoli sprout samples collected by Washington state and Montana state health officials tested positive for Salmonella and matched the strain of Salmonella making people sick in the outbreak.
This outbreak does not appear to be related to the other recent multistate Salmonella and E. coli outbreaks traced to alfalfa sprouts produced by Everything Sprouts, LLC.
All affected Evergreen Fresh Sprouts-brand broccoli sprouts are past expiration and have been recalled, according to the FDA.
In addition to testing samples of sprouts, the FDA collected broccoli seed samples from the domestic seed supplier that tested positive for Salmonella, and these results also matched the strain of Salmonella making people sick in this outbreak.
Based on traceback, broccoli seeds were originally imported from New Zealand and have been recalled by the domestic seed supplier. Downstream broccoli seed recalls were initiated by several companies.
Recalled broccoli seeds were sold to customers nationwide in the United States on company websites, Amazon, Walmart, eBay, Etsy, and the Tik Tok Shop. The implicated products are:
Recalled Gardeners Basics Waltham 29 Broccoli Sprouting Seeds, packaged in a white and green resealable pouch, net weight 1 pound (454 g), with UPC 848137042889. The bag is marked “Packed for 2027.” Recalled Eden Brothers calabrese broccoli seeds in packets and in 1-oz and 1-lb sizes (Eden Brothers lots 1022067 and 1022068; supplier lot W4105).Recalled Home Grown green sprouting calabrese broccoli seeds, 8-oz, heirloom sold on Amazon, with lot code AUG172026 embossed on the top seal.Recalled broccoli sprouts grown by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, LLC are past expiration and no longer available for sale.
