News and Stories

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that the multistate outbreak of E. coli O103 infections linked to clover sprouts appears to be over. However, raw and lightly cooked sprouts are a known source of foodborne illness. CDC recommends that consumers, restaurants, and other retailers always follow food safety practices to avoid illness from eating sprouts.

What we know:

• As of April 22, 2020, this outbreak appears to be over
• 51 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O103 were reported from 10 states
• 3 people were hospitalized, no deaths were reported
• Epidemiologic, traceback, and laboratory evidence indicated that clover sprouts were the source of this outbreak
  • On March 16, 2020, Chicago Indoor Garden recalled all products containing red clover sprouts
  • On February 24, 2020 Jimmy John’s LLC reported that all of its restaurants stopped serving clover sprouts

Attached for your review is the CDC press release.

Markon will update members should more information become available.

Lianna Kelly
Food Safety Director

©2020 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.