Everything Sprouts & Calco Alfalfa Sprouts Recall (Aug. 2026): What to Check and Do at Home
If you keep fresh alfalfa sprouts in your fridge, take 2 minutes today to check your package. The FDA has recalled certain lots of Everything Sprouts and Calco brand alfalfa sprouts due to possible contamination with Salmonella and Shiga toxin–producing E. coli (STEC). Because sprouts are eaten raw or lightly handled, it’s important to act right away.
This guide helps you do the quick at-home check that matters, plus how to clean up safely so you don’t spread bacteria to other foods.
Recall snapshot: what happened, what to do now
- Affected product: Certain lots of Everything Sprouts and Calco alfalfa sprouts.
- Reason for recall: Possible contamination with Salmonella and STEC (E. coli).
- Your first step: Check the exact identifiers in the FDA recall notice (brand/company name and the lot/best-by or other product identifiers listed).
- When in doubt: If your package matches an affected lot/identifier, stop using it.
For the official affected-lot list and consumer instructions, use the FDA recall notice for this event.
What to check in your refrigerator (brand + lot identifiers)
Alfalfa sprouts are easy to overlook, especially if they’re moved to a back-of-fridge crisper drawer. Do this simple check:
- Find the package: Locate any alfalfa sprouts you bought recently (including those stored in your fridge after opening).
- Match the brand: Look for Everything Sprouts or Calco on the label.
- Match the exact identifiers: Compare your package’s lot number and any best-by/use-by/sell-by or other identifiers to the list in the FDA recall notice.
- Don’t assume by “looks”: Even if two packages look similar, only the lots listed by FDA are part of the recall.
Tip: If you tossed the outer bag or no longer have the receipt, the label on the container is still the key—take a moment to read it carefully.
If your sprouts are on the list: take these steps today
- Stop using the affected sprouts immediately. Don’t rinse them and “try again.”
- Discard the sprouts. Bag them so they don’t leak residue into your trash area.
- Handle the package carefully. Avoid spilling any liquid that may have collected in the package.
- Clean and sanitize anything that touched the sprouts. That includes:
- Countertops and cutting boards
- Utensils (tongs, forks, knives)
- Sink areas if sprouts were rinsed or spilled there
- Any container or plate you used to hold the sprouts
These steps help prevent bacteria from spreading to other foods in your kitchen. They don’t change whether the sprouts you already ate were contaminated, but they can reduce further cross-contact.
Kitchen cleanup to prevent spread (practical, low-stress)
Here’s a simple cleanup flow you can follow:
- Clear the area. Move unrelated foods away from the cleanup zone.
- Wash first. Use soap and water on surfaces and utensils to remove visible residue.
- Sanitize after washing. Use an appropriate kitchen sanitizer according to the product directions.
- Handle towels and sponges with care. Launder towels used during cleanup; replace sponges if they were heavily used around the sprouts.
- Wash hands thoroughly. Use soap and water before touching other foods.
For general recall-and-outbreak guidance, FoodSafety.gov’s “what to do” checklist is a helpful reference for the discard/clean/sanitize/watch approach.
Who should take extra care and what to watch for
Because sprouts can be eaten raw, outbreaks and recalls like this are taken seriously—especially for people at higher risk of more severe illness. Extra care is especially important for:
- Children
- Older adults
- Pregnant people
- People with weakened immune systems
If anyone in your household consumed the recalled sprouts, monitor for symptoms of foodborne illness. The FDA outbreak investigation page for STEC and Salmonella sprouts provides additional context about what families should do and how to think about next steps with healthcare guidance.
If someone already ate the sprouts
If your household already ate the sprouts from a package that matches the affected lot/identifiers, don’t panic—just take these practical steps:
- Keep the product information: Save the package or note the brand and lot/identifier from the label.
- Watch for symptoms in the days after eating.
- Contact a healthcare provider for personalized advice, especially for higher-risk household members.
If you reach out, having the lot/identifier available makes it easier for clinicians and recall support staff to confirm what you ate.
Keep this info for reference
- The brand (Everything Sprouts or Calco)
- The lot number and any best-by/use-by/sell-by dates
- Any product details listed on the package label
Then follow FDA’s instructions for returning, discarding, or otherwise handling the affected product.
Calm next steps
To sum it up: check the label against the FDA recall notice identifiers, discard affected sprouts, sanitize anything they touched, and keep lot information if someone already ate them—especially if anyone is higher risk. A quick fridge check today can help keep your kitchen running smoothly.
