Updated September 25, 2026. Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, LLC has recalled broccoli sprouts linked to a multistate Salmonella Bovismorbificans outbreak. At least 32 people in six states have been sickened, including three people who were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
The outbreak was first announced by Washington health officials in early September. Federal investigators now say epidemiologic, traceback and laboratory evidence show that Evergreen Fresh Sprouts broccoli sprouts were contaminated with Salmonella and made people sick.
Montana officials found the outbreak strain in an unopened package of broccoli sprouts collected from a sick person’s home, and traceback identified Evergreen Fresh Sprouts as the common grower.
The Evergreen Fresh Sprouts broccoli sprouts recall includes sprouts packaged in plastic bags or clamshell containers with expiration dates of September 7, 9, 11, 14 and 16. FDA has confirmed distribution to grocery stores, restaurants and foodservice customers in Idaho, Montana and Washington and says the sprouts may have reached additional states.
If you ate Evergreen Fresh Sprouts broccoli sprouts and developed diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps or other Salmonella symptoms, seek medical care and ask about testing.
If you became sick after eating the recalled sprouts, Pritzker Hageman’s Salmonella lawyers can review your illness and legal options during a free consultation. Our firm represents people nationwide who have been seriously sickened in foodborne illness outbreaks.
Do You Need a Salmonella Lawyer?
Evergreen Sprouts Salmonella Outbreak: What We Know
| Outbreak Detail | Current Information (CDC, FDA, September 24, 2026) |
| Outbreak pathogen | Salmonella Bovismorbificans |
| Food linked to the outbreak | Broccoli sprouts grown by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, LLC of Idaho |
| Case count | 32 illnesses |
| Hospitalizations | 3 people hospitalized, 1 of them in Washington |
| Deaths | No deaths reported |
| Illness onset dates | July 7 through September 3, 2026 |
| States with outbreak cases | Washington (24 illnesses), Montana (4 illnesses), Idaho (1 illness), Minnesota (1 illness), Oregon (1 illness) and Utah (1 illness) |
| Recall status | Recall issued on September 4, 2026. Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, LLC recalled broccoli sprouts sold in plastic bags or clamshell containers with expiration dates of 9/7, 9/9, 9/11, 9/14 and 9/16 |
| Where recalled products were sold | Grocery stores, restaurants and foodservice customers in Idaho, Montana and Washington; CDC also identifies food co-ops. Products may have reached additional states. |
| Laboratory findings | Officials in Montana collected an unopened package of broccoli sprouts from a sick person’s home, and whole genome sequencing showed the same outbreak strain. Washington reported on September 17, 2026 that two more broccoli sprout samples tested positive for the outbreak strain, one left over from a case and one collected at a retail location. |
| Investigation status | Open. FDA’s investigation continues to determine the source of contamination and whether additional products are affected. |
CDC says the true number of illnesses is likely higher than the 32 cases currently reported because recent illnesses can take several weeks to be identified as part of an outbreak.
CDC says broccoli sprouts are the food linked to this outbreak. All 19 people interviewed reported eating sprouts before they became sick, and 17, or 89%, specifically reported eating broccoli sprouts. By comparison, only 8.7% of people in CDC’s FoodNet Population Survey reported eating any type of sprouts. CDC says this difference, together with traceback and laboratory evidence, shows that Evergreen Fresh Sprouts broccoli sprouts were contaminated with Salmonella and made people sick.
Where Were Evergreen Fresh Sprouts Broccoli Sprouts Sold?
FDA has confirmed that recalled Evergreen Fresh Sprouts broccoli sprouts were sold to grocery stores, restaurants and foodservice customers in Idaho, Montana and Washington. CDC also says the sprouts were sold to food co-ops. Both agencies warn that the product may have been distributed farther, so the recall may involve additional states.
Illnesses have now been reported in people living in Minnesota and Oregon, two states outside the three where distribution has been confirmed.
A complete list of stores and restaurants that sold or served the recalled broccoli sprouts has not been released. Because the sprouts were served at restaurants and other foodservice locations, some people may have eaten them without seeing the Evergreen Fresh Sprouts name or packaging.
If you became sick after eating broccoli sprouts at a restaurant, tell your health department where and when you ate them. The restaurant name, location, date of the meal and what you ordered can help investigators trace the sprouts through the supply chain.
Evergreen Fresh Sprouts Broccoli Sprouts Recall
Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, LLC initiated a recall of broccoli sprouts on September 4, 2026 after Montana officials found Salmonella in a sample of the company’s broccoli sprouts. Whole genome sequencing showed that the Salmonella in the sprouts was the same strain causing illnesses in the outbreak.
The recall covers Evergreen Fresh Sprouts broccoli sprouts packaged in plastic bags or clamshell containers with expiration dates of September 7, 9, 11, 14 and 16. FDA has confirmed that the recalled sprouts were sold to grocery stores, restaurants and foodservice customers in Idaho, Montana and Washington, but the products may have reached additional states.
Consumers should not eat recalled Evergreen Fresh Sprouts broccoli sprouts. Throw them away or return them to the place of purchase, and clean and sanitize containers, refrigerator surfaces and other areas the sprouts touched. Restaurants and retailers should not sell or serve the recalled sprouts.
The recall does not mean the investigation is over. FDA is still working to determine how the broccoli sprouts became contaminated and whether additional products are affected.
Why Are Raw Sprouts So Often Linked to Salmonella and E. coli Outbreaks?
Raw sprouts are especially vulnerable to bacterial contamination because the same warm, moist conditions that help seeds sprout also help bacteria grow. The FDA explains that even a small amount of contamination on or inside a seed can multiply rapidly during sprouting. This is one reason raw sprouts are repeatedly linked to E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria outbreaks.
Because sprouts carry a higher food safety risk, the FDA Produce Safety Rule includes requirements specifically for sprout growers. These include steps to reduce contamination of seeds and beans used for sprouting, treat seeds before sprouting and test spent irrigation water or sprouts from each production batch for certain pathogens.
When a sprout outbreak occurs, investigators may look at the seed lot, water, equipment, sanitation practices, growing environment and distribution records to determine where contamination happened.
FDA has confirmed that Evergreen Fresh Sprouts broccoli sprouts were contaminated with the outbreak strain of Salmonella, but the agency has not identified how the contamination occurred. FDA says it is continuing to investigate the source of contamination and whether additional products are affected.
Pritzker Hageman Has Investigated Sprout Outbreaks Before
The Evergreen Fresh Sprouts broccoli sprouts outbreak is one of two major sprout outbreaks under investigation in 2026. It is separate from the Everything Sprouts and Calco alfalfa sprouts outbreak, which involves a different grower, different sprouts and different outbreak strains.
The Evergreen Fresh Sprouts outbreak is linked to broccoli sprouts and Salmonella Bovismorbificans. The Everything Sprouts outbreak involves alfalfa sprouts, Salmonella Agona and multiple strains of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli.
Evergreen Fresh Sprouts also has a history of outbreaks involving raw sprouts. The company was linked to a Salmonella outbreak involving alfalfa and spicy sprouts in 2011 and an E. coli outbreak involving raw clover sprouts in 2014. Those were separate outbreaks and do not establish what caused the current broccoli sprouts outbreak.
Past outbreaks and regulatory findings can still provide important context in a foodborne illness investigation or lawsuit. They may help show what food safety risks were known, what steps were taken to address them and whether that history is relevant to the current outbreak.
2014 E. coli O121 Outbreak Linked to Evergreen Fresh Sprouts Clover Sprouts
In 2014, raw clover sprouts produced by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts were linked to an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O121. The outbreak sickened 19 people in six states. Forty-four percent of patients with available information were hospitalized. No deaths or cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome were reported.
The 2014 Evergreen Fresh Sprouts E. coli O121 outbreak prompted an FDA inspection of the company’s sprout-growing facility. During the inspection, FDA investigators documented unsanitary conditions, including rusty or corroded equipment and water or condensation dripping in sprout-growing areas. CDC later reported that Evergreen Fresh Sprouts stopped using the seed lot linked to the outbreak.
2011 Salmonella Enteritidis Outbreak Linked to Evergreen Fresh Sprouts
In 2011, the CDC linked a Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak to Evergreen Fresh Sprouts alfalfa and spicy sprouts. The outbreak sickened 25 people in Idaho, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota and Washington. Of the 10 patients with available hospitalization information, three were hospitalized. No deaths were reported.
Evergreen Fresh Sprouts recalled certain lots of alfalfa and spicy sprouts on July 1, 2011.
Can I Sue for Salmonella Food Poisoning?
Yes. People diagnosed with Salmonella can pursue compensation when evidence links their illness to contaminated food. A Salmonella claim may be brought against companies that produced, processed, distributed, sold or served the food that caused the infection.
Evidence in a Salmonella lawsuit can include laboratory testing, medical records, public health investigation findings, purchase records, restaurant receipts and supply-chain records.
A Salmonella lawsuit can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses caused by a serious Salmonella infection. The companies that may be legally responsible and the types of claims available depend on the evidence and the law that applies to the case.
Salmonella Symptoms and Complications Can Become Serious
Salmonella symptoms usually include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. Symptoms typically begin 6 hours to 6 days after infection. Severe symptoms can include bloody diarrhea, persistent vomiting, dehydration or a high fever.
Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop serious Salmonella infections. In severe cases, Salmonella can spread beyond the intestines and cause infections in the bloodstream or other parts of the body. These infections may require hospitalization and additional treatment.
Salmonella can also cause reactive arthritis after a foodborne illness. Symptoms can include joint pain, eye irritation and painful urination that begin after the original diarrhea or fever has improved.
What to Do if You Ate Evergreen Fresh Sprouts Broccoli Sprouts
- Seek medical care if you have symptoms. Ask your healthcare provider about Salmonella testing, especially if you have bloody diarrhea, a fever above 102 degrees Fahrenheit, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, signs of dehydration, or symptoms severe enough to require emergency care.
- Do not eat recalled Evergreen Fresh Sprouts broccoli sprouts. The recall covers plastic bags and clamshell containers with expiration dates of September 7, 9, 11, 14 and 16. Throw the sprouts away or return them to the place of purchase.
- Report your illness to your health department. Tell public health officials where and when you ate or purchased the sprouts. Reports can help investigators identify additional cases and trace where contaminated food was sold or served.
- Save information about your exposure and illness. Keep receipts, packaging, delivery-app records or purchase history if you have them. Write down the store or restaurant, date of purchase or meal, when symptoms started, where you received medical care and what testing was done.
- If you became sick after eating the recalled sprouts, talk with a Salmonella lawyer. Pritzker Hageman can review your illness, testing and the outbreak evidence to determine what legal options may be available.
Talk to a Food Safety Lawyer About a Serious Salmonella Infection
Pritzker Hageman represents people across the United States who have been seriously sickened in foodborne outbreaks, along with families who have lost loved ones. Our food safety lawyers have handled cases involving Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria and other pathogens, including outbreaks linked to sprouts sold through restaurants and grocery stores.
If you or a family member became sick after eating broccoli sprouts, contact our food safety legal team for a free consultation. We can review what happened, your medical history and the outbreak evidence to determine whether you may have a claim.
Call 1-888-377-8900, text 612-261-0856, or contact us online. There is no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Contact Eric today and find out how you can get compensation and justice
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Evergreen Fresh Sprouts Outbreak
CDC and FDA have linked the outbreak to broccoli sprouts grown by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, LLC of Idaho. FDA traceback identified Evergreen Fresh Sprouts as the common grower, and Salmonella found in an unopened package of the company’s broccoli sprouts matched the outbreak strain.
As of CDC’s September 24, 2026 update, 32 people in six states had been sickened with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bovismorbificans: 24 in Washington, 4 in Montana and 1 each in Idaho, Minnesota, Oregon and Utah. Three people had been hospitalized, and no deaths had been reported. Illnesses began between July 7 and September 3, 2026.
Yes. Evergreen Fresh Sprouts initiated a broccoli sprouts recall on September 4, 2026 after Salmonella was found in a sample of the company’s sprouts. The recall covers broccoli sprouts in plastic bags or clamshell containers with expiration dates of September 7, 9, 11, 14 and 16. Consumers should not eat the recalled sprouts, and restaurants and retailers should not sell or serve them.
FDA has confirmed that recalled Evergreen Fresh Sprouts broccoli sprouts were sold to grocery stores, restaurants and foodservice customers in Idaho, Montana and Washington. CDC also identifies food co-ops. A complete list of individual locations has not been released, and federal officials say the product may have been distributed to additional states.
No. The Evergreen Fresh Sprouts broccoli sprouts outbreak and the Everything Sprouts alfalfa sprouts outbreak are separate investigations involving different companies, products and pathogens. The Evergreen Fresh Sprouts outbreak involves Salmonella Bovismorbificans and broccoli sprouts. The 2026 Everything Sprouts and Calco alfalfa sprouts outbreak involves Salmonella Agona and multiple strains of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli.
Yes. People diagnosed with Salmonella can pursue compensation when evidence links their illness to contaminated food. A Salmonella lawsuit can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses caused by a serious Salmonella infection.
You can still report your illness even if you do not know the brand of sprouts. Tell health officials the restaurant name, location, date of your meal and what you ordered. Investigators may be able to use restaurant and supplier records to determine where the sprouts came from.
A positive Salmonella test is important evidence in a food poisoning case because it confirms the infection and may allow public health laboratories to compare the bacteria with an outbreak strain. Without laboratory testing, it can be more difficult to prove that Salmonella caused the illness.
The deadline for filing a Salmonella lawsuit depends on the state and the facts of the case. Different deadlines may apply depending on where the exposure occurred and which companies may be responsible. Anyone considering a claim should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible rather than waiting for the outbreak investigation to end.
Pritzker Hageman offers free consultations for people seriously sickened by foodborne illness. The firm handles Salmonella cases on a contingency-fee basis, which means there are no attorney fees unless there is a recovery.
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