Outbreak Summary
A cluster of E. Coli O103 cases have been tied to clover sprouts distributed by Sprouts Unlimited, Inc. to Hy-Vee Grocery stores, Fareway grocery stores, and Jimmy John’s sandwich shops in Iowa.
Sprouts Unlimited has announced a recall of the sprouts sold to grocery stores.
This page will update below as further information becomes known.
More Details
December 27, 2019 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that Sprouts Unlimited, Inc. is recalling clover sprouts after public health officials epidemiologically linked a cluster of E. coli O103 illnesses to the sprouts sold by the company.
The affected sprouts were distributed to Hy-Vee grocery stores, Fareway grocery stores, and Jimmy John’s sub sandwich restaurants in Iowa. The sprouts sold in grocery stores were packaged in pint containers from Sprouts Unlimited, Inc. with a blue label on the lid. According to the FDA, UPC code 7 32684 00013 6 is stamped on the bottom right side of the label.
Anyone who purchased this product can return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. If you believe you were sickened in this outbreak, please contact us for a free consultation regarding your legal rights to compensation.
Escherichia coli, commonly known as E. coli, is a group of bacteria that can be found in the environment, food, and the intestinal tracts of people and animals. While many strains of E. coli are harmless, certain strains can cause serious illness.
E. coli O103 is a type of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). STEC infections can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms and may lead to serious complications.
People can become infected when they consume food contaminated with E. coli bacteria. Contamination can occur at different points in the food supply, including during growing, harvesting, processing, preparation, distribution, or handling.
Because E. coli infections can sometimes cause severe complications, people who develop symptoms after consuming potentially contaminated food should seek medical attention.
E. coli symptoms can vary from person to person. Some infections may cause relatively mild gastrointestinal illness, while others can become severe.
Common symptoms of an E. coli infection include:
E. coli infections can initially resemble other types of stomach illness. Symptoms may become more severe over the following days, making medical evaluation important when an E. coli infection is suspected.
E. coli has an incubation period, meaning there can be a delay between exposure to the bacteria and the appearance of symptoms.
Symptoms may develop several days after exposure. The timing can vary depending on the individual and the specific strain involved.
This delay can make it difficult for someone to immediately identify the food that caused an infection. A person may have consumed contaminated food days before becoming sick and may not initially connect the illness to that meal.
This is one reason epidemiological investigations can be important in identifying the source of a foodborne outbreak.
Some STEC infections can cause a serious complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
HUS can damage the kidneys and, in severe cases, cause kidney failure and other life-threatening complications. Young children and other vulnerable individuals may face a greater risk of developing severe complications.
Signs of HUS can include:
HUS requires prompt medical attention. Anyone experiencing severe symptoms after a suspected E. coli infection should seek emergency medical care.
If you consumed the recalled sprouts and became ill, taking steps to document your illness may help protect both your health and your legal rights.
If you are experiencing symptoms consistent with an E. coli infection, seek medical attention. Your healthcare provider can determine whether testing or treatment is appropriate.
Keep copies of your medical records, laboratory results, prescriptions, and medical bills.
If you still have the recalled sprouts, packaging, label, receipt, or photographs of the product, preserve them.
Other useful evidence may include:
Do not throw away potentially relevant evidence without first discussing it with an attorney.
Write down what you remember about the food you consumed before becoming ill, including where and when you purchased or ate it. This information may become important when investigating the source of an E. coli infection.
If you believe contaminated food caused your illness, consider reporting the suspected foodborne illness to the appropriate public health authorities.
Public health investigations can help identify patterns among people who became sick and determine whether multiple illnesses may be connected to a common food source.
Food poisoning cases can be scientifically and legally complex. Identifying the source of an E. coli infection may require more than showing that someone became sick.
OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers investigates foodborne illness claims by examining the available medical, scientific, epidemiological, and food supply evidence.
Depending on the circumstances, an investigation may involve:
Our attorneys may also work with epidemiologists, microbiologists, medical professionals, food safety experts, and other specialists when necessary.
The goal is to determine the cause of the illness, identify how contamination occurred, establish the link between the contaminated food and the infection, and determine which parties may be legally responsible.
If you became sick after consuming recalled clover sprouts, you may have questions about what caused your illness and whether you can recover compensation. OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers represents people who have suffered serious injuries from contaminated food and other foodborne illnesses.
Our attorneys understand the medical and scientific evidence involved in E. coli cases and can investigate whether your illness may be connected to a recalled product or foodborne outbreak.
If you or a loved one developed an E. coli infection after eating contaminated sprouts, contact OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. Our attorneys can review the circumstances of your illness, explain your legal options, and help you understand the next steps for pursuing compensation.