MILLERSBURG, Ohio (September 23, 2026). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that Berlin Seeds is recalling 950 pounds of Alfalfa Sprouting Seed because of potential contamination with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and/or Salmonella.
According to the FDA-posted announcement, the recall followed traceback work involving seed used by a sprout grower connected to a multistate foodborne illness outbreak investigation. To date, one illness has been reported directly to Berlin Seeds in connection with the recalled seed.
Berlin Seeds recall: quick summary
Berlin Seeds is recalling 950 pounds of Alfalfa Sprouting Seed because the product may contain STEC and/or Salmonella. The recall covers ¼-pound, ½-pound, 1-pound, 5-pound, and 50-pound packages sold between February 13 and August 23, 2026.
The 5-pound and 50-pound packages bear lot code SAL2-24JB, while the smaller packages do not carry a lot code. Berlin Seeds sold the affected seed at its Millersburg, Ohio, retail store and through its website to customers across 44 states.
The company initiated the recall after its supplier linked the seed through traceback to a sprout grower involved in an FDA multistate outbreak investigation. According to the announcement, one illness has been reported directly to Berlin Seeds in connection with the seed.
Official recall details
- Company announcement date: September 23, 2026
- FDA publication date: September 23, 2026
- Announced by: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Company: Berlin Seeds
- Brand: Berlin Seeds
- Product: Alfalfa Sprouting Seed
- Issue: Potential contamination with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and/or Salmonella
- Amount recalled: 950 lbs
- Package sizes: ¼ lb., ½ lb., 1 lb., 5 lb., and 50 lb.
- Lot code: SAL2-24JB on 5 lb. and 50 lb. packages; smaller packages do not bear a lot code
- Sales period: February 13 through August 23, 2026
- Distribution: 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
- Reported illnesses: One illness reported directly to Berlin Seeds
- Consumer action: Do not sprout, plant, give away, or consume the affected seed or sprouts grown from it. Dispose of the seed in a sealed bag and clean and sanitize items or surfaces it contacted.
- Consumer contact: Berlin Seeds at 877-464-0892, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST, or [email protected]
What happened?
According to the FDA-posted announcement, Berlin Seeds initiated the recall after receiving information from its seed supplier about an FDA foodborne illness investigation.
The supplier said traceback identified the seeds as seed used by a sprout grower whose finished sprouts were involved in a multistate outbreak investigation. The investigation involves multiple STEC serotypes, including O26, O103, and O168, as well as Salmonella Agona infections.
Additionally, the supplier told Berlin Seeds that a spent irrigation water sample from one of its alfalfa seed lots had tested positive for E. coli. The announcement does not state that testing directly confirmed STEC or Salmonella in the Berlin Seeds packages covered by the recall.
Berlin Seeds sold the affected seed at its Millersburg retail store and through its website between February 13 and August 23. The company shipped online orders to customers across 44 states.
To date, Berlin Seeds has received one illness report in connection with the recalled seed. The announcement does not provide additional information about the reported illness.
Affected products
Brand | Product | Size | Lot code | Issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Berlin Seeds | Alfalfa Sprouting Seed | ¼ lb. | No lot code | Potential STEC and/or Salmonella contamination |
Berlin Seeds | Alfalfa Sprouting Seed | ½ lb. | No lot code | Potential STEC and/or Salmonella contamination |
Berlin Seeds | Alfalfa Sprouting Seed | 1 lb. | No lot code | Potential STEC and/or Salmonella contamination |
Berlin Seeds | Alfalfa Sprouting Seed | 5 lb. | SAL2-24JB | Potential STEC and/or Salmonella contamination |
Berlin Seeds | Alfalfa Sprouting Seed | 50 lb. | SAL2-24JB | Potential STEC and/or Salmonella contamination |
What caused the issue?
According to the FDA-posted announcement, Berlin Seeds initiated the recall after its supplier linked the seed through traceback to a sprout grower involved in an FDA outbreak investigation. The investigation involves infections from multiple STEC strains and Salmonella Agona.
The supplier also reported that a spent irrigation water sample from one of its alfalfa seed lots tested positive for E. coli. However, the announcement does not identify that finding as direct confirmation of STEC or Salmonella contamination in the recalled Berlin Seeds packages.
STEC infections can cause acute diarrheal illness, including bloody diarrhea, within several days of exposure. Although most people recover within a week, some infections can progress to hemolytic uremic syndrome, particularly among young children, older adults, and immunocompromised people.
Meanwhile, nontyphoidal Salmonella infections commonly cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and gastroenteritis. According to the announcement, symptoms typically begin within six to 72 hours after consuming contaminated food or water.
FSQA Insight
“When an ingredient becomes linked to an outbreak investigation, FSQA teams need a defined process for escalating the finding and determining which materials or products may require additional review,” said Allyza Joyce Mercado, FSQA Manager at Source86.
“Placing potentially affected inventory on hold while teams review testing results, supplier records, and production information can help prevent additional product from moving forward until they understand the scope of the concern.”
Here’s what you should do
Consumers who purchased Berlin Seeds Alfalfa Sprouting Seed should:
- Stop using the affected seed immediately.
- Do not sprout, plant, or give away the recalled seed.
- Do not eat sprouts already grown from the affected seed.
- Check 5-pound and 50-pound packages for lot code SAL2-24JB on the bottom right-hand corner of the label.
- Remember that recalled ¼-pound, ½-pound, and 1-pound packages do not carry a lot code.
- Dispose of the seed in the trash inside a sealed bag.
- Carefully clean and sanitize jars, trays, sprouters, surfaces, and other items that the seed or sprouts may have touched.
- Contact a health care provider if you consumed the recalled product and feel ill.
- Contact Berlin Seeds at 877-464-0892, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST, with questions or to arrange a replacement.
Behind the brand
Berlin Seeds is based in Millersburg, Ohio, and sells seeds directly to consumers through its retail store and company website.
For this recall, the company sold the affected alfalfa sprouting seed in packages ranging from ¼ pound to 50 pounds. According to the FDA-posted announcement, no other Berlin Seeds sprouting seeds, including other alfalfa sprouting seed, are affected.
Other relevant recalls
Other Source86 coverage involving sprouts, seeds, and foodborne pathogen risks includes:
- Evergreen Fresh Sprouts Recalls Broccoli Sprouts Over Salmonella Contamination
- Great Value Recalls Organic Triple Berry Blend Over Possible E. Coli Contamination
- Foods Alive Recalls Organic Moringa Leaf Powder Over Possible Salmonella Contamination
- Made Fresh Salads Recalls Deli Salads and Cream Cheese Over Possible Listeria Contamination
Regulatory context
Sprouting seeds present a particular food safety challenge because pathogens associated with seeds can remain a concern when the seeds enter sprout production. Once germination begins, conditions used to grow sprouts can also support bacterial growth.
For manufacturers and sprout growers, this makes preventive controls important before and during production. Supplier verification, seed sourcing records, testing programs, sanitation procedures, and traceability can help businesses identify hazards and respond when regulators trace an outbreak through the supply chain.
The Berlin Seeds recall also demonstrates the role of traceback during multistate outbreak investigations. In this case, information moved from the outbreak investigation through a sprout grower and seed supplier before Berlin Seeds initiated its recall.
For suppliers, distributors, and growers, maintaining accurate lot and distribution records can help narrow affected inventory when an investigation identifies a potential upstream source. Clear supplier communication can also help companies act quickly when new information emerges.
Ensuring safe eats
Ultimately, the Berlin Seeds recall highlights the importance of pathogen controls and traceability throughout the sprouting seed supply chain. Because seeds can move through multiple businesses before reaching sprout production, supplier oversight and accurate records can support faster responses to potential contamination.
For now, consumers should stop using the recalled Berlin Seeds Alfalfa Sprouting Seed. They should also discard sprouts already grown from the seed and clean and sanitize any equipment or surfaces that may have contacted it.
Alfalfa seed has been linked to sprout outbreaks for decades, so Source86 asks sprouting-seed suppliers for both E. coli and Salmonella results on each lot rather than relying on general certificates. Supplying or growing sprouts? Ask us what lot-level testing to require.
