Food safety · Monday, August 31, 2026
CDC: 55 illnesses in 15 states tied to alfalfa sprouts
The File desk · Aug 24, 2026, 4:00 PM UTC
Status
Confirmed (CDC investigation update dated Aug. 24, 2026). The true number of illnesses is likely higher than reported.
CDC, in an investigation update dated Aug. 24, 2026, said it and officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli and Salmonella infections linked to alfalfa sprouts. The agency reported 55 total cases in 15 states, 4 hospitalizations among 48 people with information available, and 0 deaths.
CDC, in an investigation update dated Aug. 24, 2026, said it and officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli and Salmonella infections linked to alfalfa sprouts. CDC advised people not to eat, sell, or serve recalled alfalfa sprouts.
The agency reported 55 total cases in 15 states, 4 hospitalizations among 48 people with information available, and 0 deaths. Illnesses started from May 31 to Aug. 8, 2026. Of 34 people interviewed, 26 (76 percent) reported eating alfalfa sprouts.
Traceback from Minnesota and Wisconsin restaurants identified alfalfa sprouts distributed by Everything Sprouts as a source. Strains listed: E. coli O26:H11, O103:H25, and O168:H8, and Salmonella Agona. Forty-six people were infected with E. coli, 7 with Salmonella, and 2 with both. FDA is working to determine if there are additional sources.
What is still unknown or disputed
- Whether a common seed supplier exists is not established. FDA is working to determine if there are additional sources.
- CDC says the true number of sick people is likely higher than reported.
Primary sources
Every claim in this story is drawn from the documents below. If a fetch failed, that is recorded on the card.
Source 1
Investigation Update: E. coli and Salmonella Outbreak, August 2026
CDC · August 24, 2026
CDC is advising people not eat, sell, or serve recalled alfalfa sprouts. Case table on that page: 55 cases, 15 states, 4 hospitalizations, 0 deaths.
https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/alfalfa-sprouts-08-26/investigation.html