Gardeners Basics has recalled its Waltham 29 broccoli sprouting seeds after the FDA traced a contaminated seed lot to a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 32 people across six Western states. It's the fourth broccoli seed or sprout recall tied to the same underlying seed lot since early September, and the FDA still hasn't named the common supplier.

The outbreak, by the numbers

  • At least 32 people sick across Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, Utah and Washington
  • 3 hospitalized; no deaths reported
  • The outbreak strain is Salmonella Bovismorbificans
  • The most recent patient included in the count got sick on September 3
  • The CDC estimates that for every confirmed case, roughly 29 go undiagnosed, so the true toll is likely higher

Investigators say this outbreak is being tracked separately from a different, ongoing E. coli and Salmonella investigation tied to alfalfa sprouts.

Four recalls, one seed lot

  • Evergreen Fresh Sprouts LLC (Moyie Springs, Idaho) recalled broccoli sprouts September 4 after a Montana state sample tested positive and genetically matched the outbreak strain
  • EAK Distribution (Casper, Wyoming) recalled its "Home Grown" broccoli seeds October 2, tracing back to seed lot W4105
  • Eden Brothers LLC (Arden, North Carolina) recalled Calabrese broccoli seed lots 1022067 and 1022068 on October 7, also tied to supplier lot W4105
  • Gardeners Basics (Spanish Fork, Utah) recalled one-pound bags of Waltham 29 broccoli sprouting seeds, UPC 848137042889, on October 8, after its supplier flagged the same lot

An unnamed supplier

The FDA collected and tested a seed sample directly from the supplier common to these recalls, and the agency says that sample's genetic sequence matched the outbreak strain. As of this writing, the FDA has not publicly identified that supplier, even though several separate retail brands trace back to the same recalled lot. It isn't clear from FDA's public statements why the supplier hasn't been named.

Gardeners Basics says it has not received reports of illness tied to its product specifically; this recall is precautionary, based on the shared seed lot. Its seeds were sold nationwide through Amazon, Walmart, TikTok Shop, eBay, Etsy and the company's own website, and sales have stopped.

What to do if you bought bagged sprouting seeds

  • Don't eat the seeds or any sprouts you've already grown from them
  • Seal the seeds and any sprouts in a bag and throw them away
  • Check your packaging against the recalled lot and UPC codes before assuming your seeds are unaffected
  • Gardeners Basics customers can request a refund by emailing info@gardenersbasics.com or leaving a text or voicemail at 801-769-6181 with an order number