Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Alfalfa Sprouts - December 2022

For Everyone

Outbreak Investigation Summary

Data showed that alfalfa sprouts made people in this outbreak sick.

  • Of the 50 people interviewed, 35 (70%) reported eating alfalfa sprouts.
  • Eight of the people who got sick in this outbreak confirmed they had purchased Sun Sprouts brand alfalfa sprouts from their local grocery store.

On December 29, 2022, SunSprout Enterprises recalled four lots of raw alfalfa sprouts.

Front and back packaging of alfalfa sprouts in this outbreak
SunSprout Enterprises alfalfa sprouts

What you should do

Cook sprouts thoroughly to reduce your risk of illness.

Eating raw or undercooked sprouts may lead to food poisoning. That’s because the warm, humid conditions needed to grow sprouts are also ideal for germs to multiply.

It’s especially important to avoid raw sprouts if you are in a group more likely to get seriously sick from food poisoning: adults aged 65 and older, children younger than age 5, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women.

Content Source
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)
About This Page
Published: October 16, 2024
Updated: January 31, 2025

This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.

Reviewed: January 31, 2025

The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.