Utah officials recall broccoli seeds linked to salmonella outbreak

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food issued a recall for one-pound bags of Gardeners Basics Waltham 29 Broccoli Sprouting Seeds after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration 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 contamination is linked to a multistate salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 32 people in six states. No illnesses have been reported directly from these seeds, but the FDA identified the lot as used by a sprout grower involved in the outbreak. Consumers are urged to discard the seeds and any sprouts grown from them.

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

Illnesses linked to outbreak

FDA investigation linked the seed lot to a multistate salmonella outbreak.

States affected by outbreak

At least six states have reported salmonella cases.

1 lb

Product weight

Recalled bags contain 1 pound (454g) of seeds.

Voices

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People Involved

Leon Page

Public Information Officer, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food

Spokesperson for the state recall notice

Organizations Involved

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

State Government Agency

Issued recall warning

State agency that oversees food safety and issued the public recall notice.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Federal regulatory agency

Conducted testing and issued recall notice

Federal agency that detected salmonella in the seed lot and posted the recall alert.

Timeline

September 2026 October 2026

3 events Latest: Today

October 2026
Utah agriculture department issues public warning
Today Statement

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food urges residents to discard the recalled seeds and any sprouts grown from them.
Today
Gardeners Basics initiates recall
Recall

Company recalls one-pound bags of Waltham 29 Broccoli Sprouting Seeds after learning of the contamination. Sales stop.
2 days ago
September 2026
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.
September 26th, 2026

Scenarios

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.

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.