An E. coli O103 outbreak has been linked to Sprouts Unlimited clover sprouts sold at Hy Vee and Fareway grocery stores and served at Jimmy John’s restaurants in Iowa. Sprouts Unlimited has issued a recall for the clover sprouts. Consumers who purchase sprouts should check recall information carefully.
The recalled clover sprouts were sold in pint containers with a blue Sprouts Unlimited label on top and the UPC code 7 32684 00013 6 on the bottom right side.
In a recall posted on the U.S.Food and Drug Administration’s website, Sprouts Unlimited stated that it learned of the problem after being notified by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals that a cluster of E. coli O103 illnesses had been epidemiologically linked to the company’s clover sprouts.
This is not the first time sprouts have been linked to a food poisoning outbreak. The humid conditions required to sprout the seeds are ideal for bacterial growth. Studies about “sproutbreaks” have shown that contamination often begins in the seeds themselves. Because of the known risks associated with sprouts, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that consumers only eat sprouts that are cooked.
This is also not the first time sprouts at Jimmy John’s restaurants have been linked to an outbreak. In 2018, clover sprouts at Jimmy John’s were linked to a Salmonella outbreak that sickened 10 people in three states. In 2014, an E. coli O121 outbreak linked to clover sprouts at Jimmy John’s restaurants sickened 19 people in six states. And, in April 2012, clover sprouts at Jimmy John’s were linked to an E. coli O26 outbreak that sickened 29 people in 11 states.
The E. coli lawyers at Pritzker Hageman have represented in every major E. coli outbreak in the last 20 years including clients sickened by sprouts. If you would like to request a free consultation with our experienced E. coli Team, call us at 1-888-377-8900, text us at 612-261-0856 or, fill out the form below.