The FDA and CDC are investigating multiple simultaneous foodborne illness outbreaks in 2026, with sprouts, shell eggs, frozen berries, and soft cheeses emerging as major sources of contamination. As of early September, these recalls span dozens of states and have resulted in hospitalizations across the country. Understanding which products are affected and how to protect your family requires staying informed about the latest guidance from health authorities.

What's Happening With Sprouts Right Now?

Everything Sprouts, LLC of Minneapolis, Minnesota, has become the center of a significant multistate outbreak involving both Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and Salmonella Agona infections. On August 28, 2026, the company expanded its recall to include certain lots of Robust Radish Sprout Mix after discovering potential cross-contamination with the contaminated alfalfa sprouts. The outbreak has affected 55 people across 15 states, with 4 hospitalizations reported and no deaths so far. Illnesses began appearing as early as May 31, 2026, and continued through August 8, 2026.

What makes this outbreak particularly concerning is that multiple strains of E. coli are involved. Of the 55 people infected, 46 were infected with E. coli, 7 with Salmonella, and 2 with both pathogens. Among the 34 people interviewed about their food consumption, 26 (76%) reported eating alfalfa sprouts in the week before becoming ill. The FDA initiated an inspection at Everything Sprouts on August 19, 2026, and the investigation remains ongoing.

How to Protect Yourself From Contaminated Sprouts

• Check Your Refrigerator: Look for recalled sprouts packaged in 5-ounce plastic containers with lot numbers 222, 223, 225, 226, and 230 under the Calco or Everything Sprouts brands. Do not eat these products.
• Discard Without Hesitation: If you have frozen sprouts without original packaging and cannot determine their source, throw them away to be safe. Sprouts can remain in freezers for extended periods, so check thoroughly.
• Clean Surfaces Thoroughly: If recalled sprouts touched any surfaces, containers, or utensils in your kitchen, carefully clean and sanitize them to prevent cross-contamination with other foods.
• Seek Medical Attention Immediately: If you consumed recalled sprouts and develop symptoms such as severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, or vomiting, contact your healthcare provider right away. Some E. coli infections can progress to life-threatening kidney failure.

Why Are Sprouts So Vulnerable to Contamination?

The FDA's investigation has identified a critical vulnerability in the sprout supply chain. A common seed supplier provided contaminated alfalfa sprout seeds to multiple growers, including Everything Sprouts. The FDA recommended that the seed supplier voluntarily recall the implicated seed lot and notify downstream customers, but as of late August, the supplier had not responded to the recall recommendation or sent notices to customers. This gap in communication means additional sprout growers may still be using contaminated seeds without knowing it.

Symptoms of STEC infection typically appear within a few days to nine days after consuming contaminated food. They include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, particularly with certain E. coli strains, infections can cause bloody diarrhea and lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure, as well as high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and neurological problems.

What Other Major Food Recalls Should You Know About?

The sprout outbreak is just one of several serious food safety issues affecting Americans in 2026. The FDA has elevated multiple recalls to Class I status, which is the most serious category used when there is a reasonable probability that consuming the recalled product could cause serious health problems or death.

A multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to cage-free eggs has been escalated to Class I. The outbreak is connected to shell eggs recalled by Midwest Poultry Services, including white and brown cage-free eggs sold under brands such as Country Morning, Cal-Maine Sunups, Brookshire's, Simple Truth, and Kroger. Eggs with sell-by or best-by dates from July 20 through August 17, 2026, are affected. As of early September, the outbreak has been linked to 98 illnesses in 17 states and 26 hospitalizations, with no deaths reported. Consumers who still have recalled eggs should throw them away or return them for a refund and thoroughly clean any surfaces the eggs may have touched.

An E. coli outbreak linked to frozen blueberries continues under FDA investigation. Publix expanded its recall on July 29 to include all lots of GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries in 10-ounce and 48-ounce packages distributed to Publix stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. As of late July, 12 illnesses and 4 hospitalizations had been reported. Because frozen fruit can remain in freezers for months, consumers are urged to check their freezers rather than assuming recalled products are long gone.

A Salmonella Javiana outbreak linked to fresh jalapeños from Sinaloa, Mexico, has affected 345 people across 27 states as of August 5, 2026, with 36 hospitalizations and no deaths reported. The peppers were distributed to wholesalers, restaurants, and food-service companies nationwide. Products containing these jalapeños, including salsas, guacamole, and pico de gallo from retailers like Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Walmart, Target, Kroger, and others, have been recalled. Consumers should check products with "Best By" or "Best If Used By" dates through August 16, 2026.

A Listeria monocytogenes outbreak centered on requesón, a traditional Hispanic soft cheese similar to ricotta, has resulted in 12 illnesses and 10 hospitalizations as of mid-June 2026. Businesses involved include Clover Hill Dairy, Nelson & Isa Lacteos, and La Ceiba Foods Latin Market. Recalled products were distributed through retail stores, farmers' markets, restaurants, and other locations in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Listeriosis can be especially dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

Additionally, Nara Organics' Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula remains under investigation after infants in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington developed infant botulism after consuming the formula. Four confirmed cases of infant botulism have been linked to the product, with illness onset between April and May 2026. Infant botulism can initially cause constipation, poor feeding, loss of head control, and difficulty swallowing, which can progress to breathing problems. Because symptoms can take weeks to appear, parents and caregivers should not use the recalled formula and should contact a healthcare provider if they have concerns.

How Should You Navigate Food Safety Right Now?

With multiple recalls active simultaneously, staying organized is essential. The FDA recommends checking recall notices regularly on its website and comparing your products with specific lot numbers and dates listed in official alerts. Many recalls stem from regulatory issues rather than confirmed contamination, so reviewing the details of each recall is important before discarding products. When in doubt, err on the side of caution, particularly with products that could pose serious health risks like sprouts, eggs, and infant formula.

If you have consumed any recalled products and develop symptoms consistent with foodborne illness, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Symptoms typically include diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting, though severity varies depending on the pathogen and individual health status. Children under five, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems face higher risks of severe infection.