COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT
When a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, the FDA posts the company’s announcement as a public service. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.
Summary
- Company Announcement Date:
- FDA Publish Date:
- Product Type:
- Food & Beverages
Foodborne Illness
- Reason for Announcement:
- Recall Reason DescriptionPotential to be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and/or Salmonella
- Company Name:
- Berlin Seeds
- Brand Name:
- Brand Name(s)Berlin Seeds
- Product Description:
- Product DescriptionAlfalfa sprouting seeds
Company Announcement
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.
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are organisms that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Escherichia coli (STEC) O26:H11, E. coli O103:H25, and E. coli O168:H8 are three members of this group of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. STECs cause an acute diarrheal illness (often bloody diarrhea) within a few days of ingestion of the bacteria. Most people recover within a week. However, a subset of infected individuals (especially children < 5 years of age, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals) may develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe illness characterized by hemolytic anemia (red cell breakdown), thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) 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. Salmonella gastroenteritis is usually a self-limited disease in the normal healthy individual. Patients at risk for more severe illness include neonates, infants, adults greater than 65 years, and patients with impaired immunity or immunosuppressive treatments. In these rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and septic arthritis.
The recalled product was sold by Berlin Seeds at their retail store in Millersburg, OH and through their company 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.
To date, one illnesses has been reported directly to Berlin Seeds in connection with this seed.
The recall was initiated after our seed supplier notified us that the seeds were identified through traceback as seed used by a sprout grower whose finished sprouts were part of an FDA investigation involving a multistate foodborne illness outbreak of multiple strains of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (multiple serotypes include: O26:H11, O103:H25, O168:H8) and Salmonella Agona infections. Our supplier also notified us that a spent irrigation water sample from one of its alfalfa seed lots had tested positive for E. coli.
No other Berlin Seeds sprouting seeds, including alfalfa sprouting seed, are affected by this recall.
Consumers who believe they may have purchased the affected Alfalfa Sprouting Seed should stop using it immediately and should not sprout it, plant it, or give it away. They should not eat any sprouts already grown from this seed and should throw them away. The seed should be disposed of in the trash in a sealed bag, and any jars, trays, sprouters, or surfaces the seed or sprouts may have touched should be carefully cleaned and sanitized. Consumers who have eaten the recalled product and feel ill should contact their health care provider.
Retailers and distributors who believe they have received the affected Alfalfa Sprouting Seed should immediately stop selling and distributing the seed in inventory and dispose of it according to local protocols. Additionally, they should carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that the product may have touched.
Customers with questions regarding this recall, or who wish to arrange a replacement, may contact Berlin Seeds at 877-464-0892, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST, or at order@berlinseeds.life. Email inquiries will be responded to during the same business hours.
This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Product Photos
Product photographs and package-identification images are available with the official FDA notice.
