Raw Alfalfa Sprouts Linked to Salmonella Contamination

Topics on this page

• Background
• News
• Resources for Consumers
• Resources for Industry

 Background

The US Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that consumers not eat raw alfalfa sprouts, including sprout blends containing alfalfa sprouts, until further notice because of a risk of Salmonella serotype Saintpaul contamination. As soon as the source of the contamination is identified, FDA will work with the alfalfa sprout industry to help identify which alfalfa sprouts are not connected with this contamination. Other types of sprouts have not been implicated at this time.

 News

• Raw Alfalfa Sprouts Linked to Salmonella Contamination

 Resources for Consumers

• Questions and Answers: Sprouts and Salmonella Saintpaul
• General Information: Salmonella (CDC)
• Questions & Answers: Salmonella (CDC)

 Resources for Industry

• FDA Alerts Sprout Growers and Retailers About Specific Lots of Alfalfa Seed Potentially Contaminated with Salmonella
• Letter from FDA to Seed Suppliers, Distributors, and Sprouters
• Letter from California Department of Public Health to Sprout Manufacturers
• Guidance for Industry: Reducing Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Sprouted Seeds
• Guidance for Industry: Sampling and Microbial Testing of Spent Irrigation Water During Sprout Production