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Utah officials recall broccoli seeds linked to salmonella outbreak

Utah officials recall broccoli seeds linked to salmonella outbreak

Rule Changes Salt Lake City, UT local

Gardeners Basics recall continues; Wild West Seed pulls 9,476 pounds of broccoli seeds

7 days ago: Wild West Seed recalls 9,476 pounds of broccoli seeds

Overview

Updated 7 days ago

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food warned residents about one-pound bags of Gardeners Basics Waltham 29 Broccoli Sprouting Seeds after the FDA found salmonella in a bulk seed lot. The seeds were sold online nationwide through Amazon, TikTok Shop, Walmart, eBay, Etsy and the company's website.

The outbreak has sickened 32 people in six states, with three hospitalizations and no deaths. The last reported illness began on September 3. On November 4, Wild West Seed Inc. of Albany, Oregon, recalled 9,476 pounds of broccoli sprouting seeds because of salmonella, adding another recall to the investigation.

Why it matters

Eating contaminated seeds or sprouts can cause salmonella infection, which is dangerous for children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.

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Key Indicators

32
Illnesses linked to outbreak
FDA investigation linked the seed lot to a multistate salmonella outbreak.
6
States affected by outbreak
At least six states have reported salmonella cases.
3
Hospitalizations linked to outbreak
Three people have been hospitalized in the outbreak.
1 lb
Product weight
Recalled bags contain 1 pound (454g) of seeds.
9,476 lb
Seeds recalled by Wild West
Wild West Seed recalled broccoli sprouting seeds in two lots over salmonella risk.

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People Involved

LP
Leon Page
Public Information Officer, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food
Spokesperson for the state recall notice

Organizations Involved

Gardeners Basics
Gardeners Basics
Seed seller
Recalled product and stopped sales

Utah-based online seed company that sold the recalled broccoli sprouting seeds.
Utah Department of Agriculture and Food
Utah Department of Agriculture and Food
State Government Agency
Issued recall warning

State agency that oversees food safety and issued the public recall notice.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Federal regulator
Conducted testing and issued recall notice

Federal agency that detected salmonella in the seed lot and posted the recall alert.
WW
Wild West Seed Inc.
Seed supplier
Recalling broccoli sprouting seeds over salmonella risk

Albany, Oregon, seed company that recalled 9,476 pounds of broccoli sprouting seeds over salmonella risk.

Timeline

September 2026 November 2026

7 events Latest: 7 days ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Wild West Seed recalls 9,476 pounds of broccoli seeds

    Latest Recall

    Wild West Seed Inc. of Albany, Oregon, recalled 9,476 pounds of broccoli sprouting seeds in two lots because of salmonella contamination, according to a Food Safety News report.

  2. Washington leads outbreak with 24 cases

    Data Update

    CDC data shows Washington has the most salmonella cases in the outbreak, with 24 of the 32 total illnesses. Montana has four, and Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Minnesota each have one.

  3. Utah agriculture department issues public warning

    Statement

    The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food urges residents to discard the recalled seeds and any sprouts grown from them.

  4. Gardeners Basics initiates recall

    Recall

    Company recalls one-pound bags of Waltham 29 Broccoli Sprouting Seeds after learning of the contamination. Sales stop.

  5. Eden Brothers recalls broccoli seeds

    Recall

    Eden Brothers LLC of Arden, North Carolina, recalled calabrese broccoli seeds in packets and 1-oz and 1-lb sizes (lots 1022067 and 1022068) from the same seed lot.

  6. EAK Distribution recalls broccoli seeds

    Recall

    EAK Distribution of Casper, Wyoming, recalled Home Grown green sprouting broccoli seeds sold on Amazon after being notified of the seed lot recall.

  7. Supplier recalls seed lot after FDA detection

    Recall

    Gardeners Basics is notified that bulk broccoli seed lot #W4105 was recalled due to salmonella detected by the FDA.

Scenarios

1

No Further Illnesses Linked, Outbreak Declared Over

Likely Resolves by Mar 1, 2027

Discussed by: FDA recall notice and public health reporting

After the recall and public warnings, no additional salmonella cases are traced to these seeds. The FDA and CDC close the outbreak investigation, confirming the recall prevented further spread.

2

Outbreak Expands as More Cases Reported

Possible Resolves by Mar 1, 2027

Discussed by: Food Poisoning Bulletin and public health officials

Additional salmonella illnesses emerge in states beyond the original six, linked to the same seed lot. The recall proves insufficient, and regulators expand the investigation to other products or suppliers.

Historical Context

One moment from history that rhymes with this story — and how it unfolded.

May–July 2011

European E. coli Outbreak from Sprouts (2011)

A deadly E. coli outbreak in Germany sickened over 4,000 people and killed 53, ultimately traced to fenugreek seeds used to grow sprouts. Authorities initially misidentified the source, and the investigation took weeks.

Then

The recall of sprout seeds across Europe halted sales and led to widespread public caution about raw sprouts.

Now

The outbreak prompted tighter testing protocols for seed lots and highlighted the risk of sprout cultivation where contamination can multiply rapidly.

Why this matters now

Sprout seeds are a known vector for bacterial contamination because the warm, moist conditions used to germinate them also allow pathogens like salmonella to thrive. This recall underscores that even raw seeds carry risk and require rigorous screening.

Sources

(8)
+2
KSL.com U.S. Food and Drug Administration The Herald Journal Food Poisoning Bulletin Food Safety News MyNorthwest.com Local Meat U.S. Food and Drug Administration