People who grow broccoli sprouts at home are being told to throw out a one-pound bag of seeds after Gardeners Basics of Spanish Fork, Utah, recalled its Waltham 29 Broccoli Sprouting Seeds over possible Salmonella contamination. The company’s recall notice, posted by the FDA, says the seeds were sold online and shipped nationwide through Amazon, Walmart, TikTok Shop, eBay, Etsy and the company’s website.
No illnesses linked to this product had been reported to Gardeners Basics as of Oct. 6. The company issued the recall after its supplier recalled a bulk seed lot because the FDA detected Salmonella in a broccoli seed sample.
That matters because sprouts are usually eaten raw on sandwiches and salads. The warm, humid conditions used to grow sprouts can also let bacteria multiply, so contaminated seeds can produce contaminated sprouts.
One Seed Lot and a Six-State Outbreak
Gardeners Basics said its seed supplier notified it on Sept. 26 that bulk broccoli seed lot W4105 had been recalled. The seeds were also used by a sprout grower whose finished product was part of an FDA investigation into a multistate outbreak.
That outbreak involves Salmonella Bovismorbificans and has sickened 32 people in Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, Utah and Washington. Three people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported, according to the FDA outbreak advisory.
Sick people ranged in age from 2 to 87, and 26 of 27 people interviewed reported eating sprouts or microgreens, the CDC said. Investigators first traced illnesses to broccoli sprouts from Evergreen Fresh Sprouts of Moyie Springs, Idaho, which recalled its sprouts in September.
Gardeners Basics is the third company to recall seeds in connection with the investigation. EAK Distribution recalled Home Grown brand seeds, and Eden Brothers recalled calabrese broccoli seeds earlier in October.
Checking the Bag Before Another Batch Starts
The recalled product is Gardeners Basics Waltham 29 Broccoli Sprouting Seeds in a white and green resealable pouch. It has a net weight of 1 pound (454 grams), carries UPC 848137042889, and is marked “Packed for 2027.” Lot W4105 is the supplier’s bulk lot number, not a code printed on the bag.
The FDA’s advice is direct: “Do not eat, serve, or sell recalled lots of broccoli seeds.” Consumers should not eat the seeds or any sprouts grown from them. Anyone who shared seeds with friends or family should let them know, and bags stored in a pantry for later batches should be checked as well.
The company says to seal the seeds and any sprouts in a bag and throw them away. No return is necessary. Sprouting jars, lids, trays, and counters that touched the seeds should be washed and sanitized.
Children, Older Adults and Higher Stakes
Salmonella symptoms usually start six hours to six days after eating contaminated food, and most people recover within four to seven days, according to the CDC. Common symptoms are diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
Children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe infections. In rare cases, the bacteria can spread to the bloodstream and cause serious complications, such as infections of the arteries or the lining of the heart, or arthritis.
Diarrhea with a fever above 102 degrees, diarrhea lasting more than three days without improvement, bloody diarrhea, vomiting that keeps a person from keeping liquids down, or signs of dehydration should prompt a call to a health care provider. People who are sick should mention eating sprouts, since a lab test is needed to confirm Salmonella.
Official counts likely understate the outbreak. “The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported,” the CDC said, because many people recover without getting tested.
Refunds, Cleanup and the Unnamed Supplier
Gardeners Basics is offering refunds for purchases that have not already been refunded. Customers can email info@gardenersbasics.com or text or leave a voicemail at 801-769-6181 at any time, with an order number and place of purchase. The company does not answer live calls.
One question remains open. The FDA has not publicly named the seed supplier, even as several companies have pulled products, Food Safety News reported. Without that name, home growers cannot easily tell whether other seed brands came from the same source.
The FDA says it will update its advisory as the investigation continues. The CDC’s case count was last updated Sept. 24, so more illnesses could still be added, a common lag in foodborne outbreaks.
For now, anyone with a matching bag should stop sprouting, discard the seeds and sprouts, sanitize equipment, and request a refund.
Key Questions Answered
Which product is being recalled?
Gardeners Basics Waltham 29 Broccoli Sprouting Seeds in a one-pound white and green pouch with UPC 848137042889. The bag is marked “Packed for 2027.”
Where were the seeds sold?
The seeds were sold online and shipped nationwide through Amazon, Walmart, TikTok Shop, eBay, Etsy, and the company’s website.
Has anyone gotten sick from these seeds?
No illnesses linked to this product had been reported to the company as of Oct. 6. The broader outbreak under investigation has sickened 32 people in six states.
What should I do with the seeds?
Seal the seeds and any sprouts in a bag and throw them away. Then clean and sanitize jars, trays, and counters and contact the company for a refund.
When should someone see a doctor?
Call a provider for a fever above 102 degrees, bloody diarrhea, diarrhea that lasts more than three days, or signs of dehydration. Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immunity should seek care early.
Published by Medicaldaily.com
