Alfalfa sprout linked to food-poisoning outbreak in 15 states, health officials say

U.S. health officials are investigating a food-poisoning outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts that has affected people in 15 states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 55 cases nationally, with four hospitalizations. This outbreak is unusual as it involves multiple germs, including Salmonella and different strains of E. coli. Investigations point to alfalfa sprouts produced by Everything Sprouts, sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands, as the likely source. The FDA previously issued a warning letter to the company regarding inspection concerns. Everything Sprouts has not yet issued a recall.

Taylor Fresh Foods, parent company of Taylor Farms, is voluntarily recalling certain products containing jalapenos due to concerns about potential salmonella contamination. This recall follows a separate recall of iceberg lettuce products by Taylor Farms linked to a cyclospora outbreak. The jalapeno recall was initiated after Coast Citrus Distributors announced its own recall of fresh jalapenos over salmonella worries. Investigations by the FDA and CDC identified a grower in Sinaloa, Mexico, supplying Coast Citrus Distributors, as the potential source of the salmonella outbreak. Taylor Farms has ceased sourcing from this grower and is using alternative suppliers. While the company is unaware of any illnesses linked to its jalapeno products, affected items were distributed in multiple states with "Best If Used By" dates up to August 16, 2026, and sold at various major retailers. Consumers are advised to discard recalled products and seek refunds at their point of purchase.

U.S. health officials have linked parasitic illness cases to iceberg lettuce in 15 states, an increase from nine states previously identified. Cyclospora cases have been reported in at least 47 states this year, with the total national count exceeding 25,000, surpassing previous outbreaks. Investigators initially focused on lettuce served at Taco Bell and are now concentrating on Taylor Farms as the source, leading to a recall of iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico. Cyclosporiasis, caused by a microscopic parasite, typically results in watery diarrhea and is harder to investigate due to delayed symptom onset and laboratory challenges. This outbreak is the largest of five separate ongoing cyclospora outbreaks being tracked by the FDA.

A multistate Salmonella outbreak has sickened at least 345 people across 27 US states, with most cases reported in Minnesota and Colorado. Federal officials have traced the outbreak to jalapeno peppers from a grower in Sinaloa, Mexico. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that Coast Citrus Distributors moved the contaminated peppers into the US. The company has recalled the peppers and is notifying its customers, including some restaurant chains. Chipotle and Qdoba have proactively removed jalapenos from their restaurants, and the CDC considers them no longer an ongoing risk. The FDA is investigating potential distribution to grocery stores. While no deaths have been reported, 36 individuals have been hospitalized.

Two individuals in Michigan have died from cyclosporiasis, marking the first fatalities in a large U.S. outbreak of the intestinal illness. Both deceased had significant underlying health conditions. The outbreak, which has expanded to nine states, has been linked by the FDA to iceberg lettuce from Mexico, though investigations continue for other potential sources. Michigan has reported over 11,000 outbreak-linked cases and 193 hospitalizations. Nationwide, the CDC has recorded over 6,700 laboratory-confirmed cases. Symptoms of cyclosporiasis include severe diarrhea and nausea.