Berlin Seeds, of Millersburg, OH, is recalling 950 lbs of Alfalfa Sprouting Seed because the seed has the potential to be contaminated with "Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC)" and/or "Salmonella".
The recalled product was sold at Berlin Seeds' retail store in Millersburg, OH and through the company's website from February 13, 2026 to August 23, 2026 to customers in AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, and WY.
The Berlin Seeds branded Alfalfa Sprouting Seed is packaged under the Berlin Seeds label in 1/4 lb., 1/2 lb., 1 lb., 5 lb., and 50 lb. sizes. The 1/4 lb., 1/2 lb., 1 lb., and 5 lb. sizes are packaged in resealable bags, while the 50 lb. size is packaged in a non-resealable poly woven bag. The 5 lb. and 50 lb. packages bear lot code SAL2-24JB located on the bottom right-hand corner of the label. The 1/4 lb., 1/2 lb., and 1 lb. packages do not bear a lot code.
STECs cause an acute diarrheal illness, often bloody diarrhea, within a few days of ingestion of the bacteria, and most people recover within a week. However, a subset of infected individuals, especially children under 5 years of age, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals, may develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe illness characterized by hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and renal failure. HUS can lead to death.
The most common clinical illness caused by nontyphoidal "Salmonella" infection is gastroenteritis, resulting in nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps, which typically begins 6–72 hours after ingestion of contaminated food or water. Patients at risk for more severe illness include neonates, infants, adults greater than 65 years, and patients with impaired immunity or immunosuppressive treatments.
To date, one illness has been reported directly to Berlin Seeds in connection with this seed.