Berlin Seeds Recalls Alfalfa Sprouting Seed Linked to Outbreak Investigation
Berlin Seeds recalled its alfalfa sprouting seed on September 23, 2026, because it may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and Salmonella. If you bought the seed between February 13 and August 23, stop using it and check the package before sprouting, planting, or sharing it.
How to identify the recalled seed
The recalled alfalfa seed was sold in 1/4-pound, 1/2-pound, 1-pound, 5-pound, and 50-pound packages. The 5-pound and 50-pound packages carry lot code SAL2-24JB. The smaller packages do not have a lot code, so check the product name and package size as well as when and where you purchased it.
Berlin Seeds sold the seed at its Millersburg, Ohio, store and through its website during the February 13–August 23 sales period. The company says it was distributed to customers in numerous states.
What to do with seed and sprouts
- Stop using matching seed. Do not sprout it, plant it, taste it, or give it away.
- Discard any sprouts grown from the recalled seed. Do not eat them.
- Clean and sanitize anything the seed or sprouts touched, including containers, utensils, work surfaces, and other equipment.
Keep the recalled seed away from other food while you dispose of it, and wash your hands after handling it. The FDA notice says the recall applies to Berlin Seeds alfalfa sprouting seed; other Berlin Seeds sprouting seeds are not included.
How the recall relates to the investigation
The FDA says its traceback connected the seed to a sprout grower involved in a multistate investigation of STEC and Salmonella illnesses associated with sprouts. That connection is the reason for the recall, but it does not establish that this seed caused every illness in the broader investigation.
Berlin Seeds’ recall notice reports one illness directly to the company. That report should not be confused with the total case count for the wider investigation or treated as proof that it is a confirmed case in that investigation.
For the latest product details and consumer instructions, check the FDA’s Berlin Seeds recall notice and its ongoing sprouts investigation page. If your package matches, the practical next step is to discard it and any sprouts made from it, then clean and sanitize the items they contacted.
