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Gardeners Basics recalled one-pound bags of Waltham 29 broccoli sprouting seeds distributed nationwide after the product was linked to a Salmonella Bovismorbificans outbreak. At least 32 people in six states have been sickened, and the FDA says a supplier’s seed sample matched the outbreak strain but has not publicly named that supplier.
Gardeners Basics is recalling one-pound bags of its Waltham 29 broccoli sprouting seeds after the product was linked to a Salmonella Bovismorbificans outbreak that has sickened at least 32 people in six states. The recall adds another branded product to a series of recalls tied to an implicated seed lot, while the FDA has not publicly identified the seed supplier.
The recalled product is labeled Gardeners Basics Waltham 29 Broccoli Sprouting Seeds. It comes in a white-and-green resealable pouch, weighs one pound, carries UPC 848137042889 and is marked “Packed for 2027.” Gardeners Basics, based in Spanish Fork, Utah, said the seeds were distributed nationwide and sold through Amazon, its website, TikTok Shop, Walmart, eBay and Etsy.
The outbreak count stands at 32 illnesses across Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, Utah and Washington, with three hospitalizations and no reported deaths. The last reported symptom onset was Sept. 3. The FDA said testing of a seed sample from the supplier identified during its investigation detected Salmonella; whole genome sequencing found the sample matched the strain associated with illnesses.
Earlier recalls involved other products linked to supplier lot W4105. EAK Distribution recalled Home Grown green sprouting broccoli seeds on Oct. 2 after being notified by the supplier. On Oct. 7, Eden Brothers recalled calabrese broccoli seeds in packets and one-ounce and one-pound sizes, including lots 1022067 and 1022068. The FDA has not publicly named the supplier, despite the recalls by companies that received its seeds.
More Seed Products Enter Recall
The new recall expands the range of sprouting-seed products consumers may need to check. The products were sold nationally through several online marketplaces, so buyers may not have purchased them directly from Gardeners Basics. The package name, weight, UPC and “Packed for 2027” marking can help identify the specific item.
Sprouting seeds are eaten after germination, and contaminated seeds can pose a food-safety risk even when the finished sprouts appear normal. The FDA’s reported laboratory match links the supplier’s seed sample to the outbreak strain, but the supplier’s identity remains unavailable to the public. That leaves consumers and retailers with less information for tracing related products beyond the brands and lot details disclosed in recalls.
Health officials have warned that the confirmed case count may not reflect the outbreak’s full scale. The CDC says many people with Salmonella infections are not tested or reported. Food Safety News cited an estimate that for every confirmed Salmonella outbreak patient, 29 may go undetected; that estimate should not be read as a revised official case count for this outbreak.
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How the Seed Lot Was Traced
The FDA’s investigation has linked the outbreak strain to seed samples and to multiple products made available for sprouting. The agency reported that it collected and analyzed a sample from the seed supplier identified during the investigation. The sample tested positive, and whole genome sequencing matched it to the outbreak strain. The supplier then recalled the implicated lot and contacted customers, according to the source report.
The recalls involving broccoli and calabrese seeds are separate from another investigation involving Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and Salmonella linked to alfalfa sprouts. The FDA is also investigating Evergreen Fresh Sprouts in Moyie Springs, Idaho, after Washington investigators found its alfalfa sprouts—not seeds—to be contaminated with the same Salmonella strain. Separately, Evergreen initiated a Sept. 4 recall of broccoli sprouts after Montana officials found Salmonella in a sample, with sequencing reviewed by the FDA matching the outbreak strain.
An FDA update dated Sept. 24 said 26 of 27 interviewed patients reported eating sprouts or microgreens. That finding describes the people interviewed at that point in the investigation; it does not establish that every illness was caused by a particular recalled product.
“A seed sample from the supplier tested positive for Salmonella Bovismorbificans, and whole genome sequencing showed it matched the strain linked to illnesses.”
— The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as described in its investigation update
Supplier Identity Still Withheld
The FDA has not publicly named the seed supplier, and the source report does not give an agency explanation for withholding the name. It is also unclear whether additional brands, products or seed lots will be recalled. The known illnesses and hospitalizations are the reported totals at this stage, not a final accounting.
The available information does not establish that every sprout or seed product sold by the companies mentioned is affected. The recall applies to the specified product and lot details disclosed in the notices. Consumers should use those details rather than assuming all products from a brand are included.
For consumers, the report does not provide a complete list of purchase dates, remaining inventory or product-disposal instructions for every retailer. Buyers should check the recall notice and contact the seller or manufacturer if they cannot determine whether their package is included.
Recall Checks and Case Updates
Consumers who have the recalled Gardeners Basics pouch should stop using it and follow the company’s recall instructions; they should not eat seeds from a package that may be affected. People who bought other sprouting seeds should compare the product and lot information with the EAK Distribution and Eden Brothers recall notices and check for updates from the FDA and sellers.
People who develop diarrhea, abdominal cramps or fever after eating sprouts should seek medical advice and tell their health care provider about the possible Salmonella exposure. Symptoms commonly begin 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food, though diagnosis requires testing. Infants, older adults, pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems face a greater risk of serious illness.
Investigators may update the case count, identify further affected products or disclose more about the supplier as the inquiry continues. Until then, the supplier’s name and the full scope of affected seed products remain unresolved.
Key Questions
Which Gardeners Basics seeds were recalled?
The recall covers one-pound bags of Gardeners Basics Waltham 29 Broccoli Sprouting Seeds, in white-and-green resealable pouches, UPC 848137042889, marked “Packed for 2027.”
How many people are sick, and where?
At least 32 people in six states—Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, Utah and Washington—have been reported ill. Three were hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.
Has the FDA identified the seed supplier?
No. The FDA has said that a supplier’s seed sample tested positive and matched the outbreak strain, but the agency has not publicly named the supplier.
Are all sprouting seeds recalled?
No. The recalls identified in the report concern specific products and lot details. Check the relevant company or FDA recall notice; the report does not say that all sprouting seeds or every product from a named brand is affected.
What symptoms should people watch for?
Salmonella symptoms can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever, often beginning 12 to 72 hours after exposure. Anyone who becomes ill after eating sprouts should seek medical advice and mention the possible exposure.
Source: rss
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