Everything Sprouts Alfalfa Sprouts Recall: Check Your Lot Numbers + Clean Up Safely
Quick action needed: Everything Sprouts, LLC is recalling alfalfa sprouts due to potential contamination with STEC (Shiga toxin–producing E. coli) and Salmonella. If you have the affected product, the safest next step is to check the specific lot and package identifiers listed by the FDA, then stop serving and discard any matched sprouts right away.
Here’s a calm, home-cook checklist you can do in just a few minutes—plus how to prevent sprouts contamination from spreading around your kitchen while you clean up.
Do this now: a 5-step fridge-and-counter checklist
- Check the label on your Everything Sprouts alfalfa sprouts container for the lot number and package size/type (the exact identifiers matter).
- Compare to the FDA recall notice to confirm whether your lot/package is on the affected list.
- If it matches: stop serving immediately and discard the recalled sprouts.
- Keep disposal separate from your other groceries so you don’t accidentally spread contamination during cleanup.
- Clean and sanitize any surfaces, containers, and your hands that may have touched the sprouts.
Step 1 — Check what you bought
Start by finding the product label on your sprout container. Look for the lot number and the package size/type shown there. Then, compare those identifiers to the affected list in the official FDA recall notice for this Everything Sprouts alfalfa sprouts recall.
Tip for families: If multiple people in your household store groceries differently (pantry door vs. fridge back), check the main fridge where the sprouts were kept, and any spare containers your family may have moved.
Step 2 — If your lot matches, stop serving and discard
If your sprout label matches one of the affected identifiers listed in the FDA notice, do not eat the sprouts. FDA’s consumer action guidance for recalls like this is straightforward:
- Stop serving the recalled sprouts right away.
- Discard the product.
To reduce the chance of spreading germs, keep the recalled sprouts separate while you take them out (for example, don’t “set them aside” on the counter where they could drip onto other foods or surfaces).
Step 3 — Protect the rest of your kitchen
Alfalfa sprouts are a high-risk food category for contamination because they’re often handled with water during preparation and because germs can spread to surrounding areas during normal kitchen tasks (opening containers, transferring to a bowl, rinsing—even if you didn’t rinse).
While you clean, avoid these common mistakes:
- Don’t reuse a container, lid, or tongs that touched the recalled sprouts unless you clean and sanitize them first.
- Don’t splash dirty rinse water or sprout liquid around the sink area.
- Don’t mix recalled items with other groceries in the same trash bag without minimizing contact.
Step 4 — Clean up safely (clean first, then sanitize)
For surfaces and utensils that may have touched the sprouts (or any sprout packaging exterior), use a two-step approach: clean to remove residue, then sanitize according to the product label/contact time.
Focus on these “touch points”:
- Hands (wash thoroughly).
- Countertop or cutting area where the container was opened.
- Sink and faucet areas that may have splashed.
- Any dishes or utensils used with the sprouts (tongs, serving spoons, bowls).
- Fridge shelf area where the container sat (especially if anything dripped).
Practical approach: Rinse-off steps are usually part of cleaning, but don’t let water spread residue around. Use a sponge or paper towel you can discard after cleaning, then sanitize the cleaned area.
Step 5 — Prevent repeat contamination tomorrow
Once the kitchen is cleaned, a few simple habits help prevent the same problem from coming back:
- Wash hands with soap and water after handling the recalled sprouts and before touching other foods.
- Sequence matters: wash/sanitize utensils first, then handle anything ready-to-eat.
- Store properly: keep non-affected produce and ready-to-eat foods covered so they aren’t sitting near where recalled items were opened.
When to contact a clinician
If anyone in your household develops symptoms that could be consistent with a foodborne illness after eating potentially affected food, consider contacting a medical professional for advice. Keep a note of what was eaten and when, and be sure to mention that FDA issued a recall involving potential STEC and Salmonella risk.
Where to verify the exact identifiers
Because the lot number and package size/type determine whether your sprouts are included, use the official FDA recall notice as your definitive source and check for the updated affected list. FDA’s recall pages also explain where to find additional consumer notices and what changes, if any, have been posted.
If you want general background on recall cleanup and food-safety basics, FoodSafety.gov’s consumer guidance on recalls and outbreaks is a helpful companion resource.
