Advice to Consumers & Retailers

Salmonella Infections Linked to Alfalfa Sprouts from One Contaminated Seed Lot (Final Update)

This outbreak appears to be over. However, sprouts are known to cause foodborne illness and outbreaks. More information about steps to reduce your risk of getting sick from eating sprouts is available on the Advice to Consumers page.

Garden of Life RAW Meal Organic Shake & Meal Product
Image of alfalfa sprouts.

Advice to Consumers

  • Reduce your risk of getting sick from raw sprouts.
    • Sprouts are a known source of foodborne illnessExternal.
    • Children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems should avoid eating raw sprouts of any kind (including alfalfa, clover, radish, and mung bean sprouts).
    • Ask that raw sprouts not be added to your food. If you purchase a sandwich or salad at a restaurant or deli, check to make sure that raw sprouts have not been added.
  • Contact your health care provider if you think you may have become ill from eating sprouts.
    • Most people infected with Salmonella develop the following signs and symptoms 12-72 hours after being exposed to the bacteria:
      • Diarrhea
      • Fever
      • Abdominal cramps

Advice to Retailers and Restaurants

  • Always practice food safety for sprouts.
    • Sprouts are a known source of foodborne illnessExternal.
    • Children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems should not be served raw sprouts of any kind (including alfalfa, clover, radish, and mung bean sprouts).
  • Purchase sprouts from sprouters that follow the FDA GuidanceExternal for Reducing Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Sprouted Seeds.

Advice to Sprouters

  • Follow the FDA GuidanceExternal for Reducing Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Sprouted Seeds.
  • Do not sprout seeds that are contaminated or have been recalled by the seed supplier.
    • Cleaning or disinfecting contaminated seeds before sprouting does not eliminate the risk of contamination in the finished sprout product.