Berlin Seeds alfalfa sprouting seeds are being recalled for possible contamination with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and Salmonella bacteria. The recall was triggered when the company’s seed supplier told them that the seeds were identified through FDA traceback as used by a sprout grower whose finished sprouts were part of an E. coli and Salmonella outbreak. One illness has been reported directly to the company. The recalling firm is Berlin Seeds of Millersburg, Ohio.
These recalled products were sold by Berlin Seeds at their retail store in Millersburg, Ohio, and through their company website from February 13, 2026 to August 23, 2026. They were sold in the states of Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
The recalled item is Berlin Seeds Alfalfa Sprouting Seed that is packaged in 1/4 pound, 1/2 pound, 1 pound, 5 pound, and 50 pound sizes. The 1/4 pound, 1/2 pound, 1 pound, and 5 pound sizes are packaged in resealable bags, while the 50 pound size is packaged in a non-resealable poly woven bag. The 5 pound and 50 pound bags have the lot code SAL2-24JB on the bottom right hand corner of the label. The other sizes do not have a lot code.
The outbreak is caused by four pathogens: E. coli O26:H11, E. coli O103:H25, E. coli O168:H8, and Salmonella Agona. Spent irrigation water from one of the alfalfa seed lots tested positive for E. coli bacteria.
If you bought these seeds, do not use them for sprouting, do not eat them, and do not sell or serve them to others. You can throw the seeds away in a secure trash can after first double bagging them, or you can take them back to the place of purchase for a refund.
If you ate sprouts grown from these seeds, monitor your health for the symptoms of an E. coli infection, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and Salmonella food poisoning for the next week to 10 days. If you do get sick, see your doctor.
