CDC, FDA silent on new multistate outbreak

September 4, 2026

Washington, Montana, and Idaho health officials are reporting a new outbreak of Salmonella Bovismorbificans infections linked to broccoli sprouts from Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, LLC (Moyle Springs, Idaho).

The outbreak appears to be unrelated to the 15-state outbreak of Salmonella and E. coli illnesses linked to consumption of alfalfa sprouts.

Thirteen of the sixteen confirmed outbreak victims are residents of Washington state. Two of the Washington residents have been hospitalized. Outbreak cases have been reported in seven Washington counties.

Illness onset dates for the 13 Washington victims range from July 7 to August 18. Of the twelve people available for interview, eight reported eating sprouts from Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, LLC. Seven of the eight recalled eating broccoli sprouts.

Montana is reporting two outbreak victims, and one victim is from Idaho.

Outbreak victims in Washington purchased the sprouts from grocery stores, food co-ops and restaurants. Montana victims reported purchasing the sprouts in grocery stores.

Sprout samples from Evergreen and other suppliers are undergoing testing at the Washington and Montana public health laboratories.

Neither the CDC nor the FDA have released any information regarding this outbreak. It does not appear on the FDA’s weekly listing of active investigations.

As of today, there has been no recall by the firm. However, local sanitarians in Montana are contacting the stores known to have sold the sprouts to arrange for their removal from sale.

As Bill Marler noted in his report on the outbreak, this is the third time that sprouts from Evergreen have been implicated in an outbreak of Salmonella illnesses.

In 2011, alfalfa sprouts and spicy sprouts grown by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts were responsible for an outbreak of 25 cases of Salmonella Enteritidis in five states. Three people were hospitalized. In 2014, raw clover sprouts were linked to a 19-case outbreak of E. coli O121 infections in six states. Seven people were hospitalized.

As part of their investigation into the 2014 outbreak, the FDA conducted an inspection of the company’s sprouting operations. They found multiple examples of insanitary conditions, including apparent mold growth, dripping condensate, irrigation water dripping from rusty valves, and corroded areas in contact with the growing sprouts. In one example, they noted employees using tennis rackets to scoop sprouts out of the water and onto a conveyor belt.

Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, LLC has been inspected on multiple occasions by the FDA since 2010. The 2011 inspection that followed on the heels of the first outbreak resulted in the issuance of a formal FDA Warning Letter to the company. Most of the subsequent inspections, including the one performed in 2014, result in a classification of “Voluntary Action Indicated.”

The most recent FDA inspection was performed in 2024 and was classified “Voluntary Action Indicated.” However, no summary of the inspection observations has been posted on the FDA’s inspection database web page.

The FoodBugLady’s Advice to Consumers

If you have consumed raw sprouts from whatever source and you begin to experience symptoms of gastroenteritis, contact your family physician.

Clean and sanitize any surfaces that may have come into contact with raw sprouts.

DO NOT EAT RAW SPROUTS!

Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?

Click on the link to listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.