An indoor garden company is recalling all of its products that contain certain sprouts from Whole Foods and other retailers because the FDA has found the sprouts are contaminated with E. coli 0103.

Chicago Indoor Garden has posted a news release citing the finding by the Food and Drug Administration. The company reports distributing the recalled products to Whole Foods throughout the Midwest, Coosemans Chicago Inc., Battaglia Distributing, and Living Waters Farms.

The recalled products all include red clover sprouts, which were found to be the contaminated ingredient. Best-by dates on the recalled products run from Dec. 1, 2019 through March 12 this year. The company did not include any product photos with the recall notice.

“If you have any of the products listed above, please throw them away or return them to our facility immediately. In the meantime, please monitor yourself for symptoms of E. coli poisoning such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea,” according to the company’s recall notice.

“. . . we are continuing to grow red clover sprouts with seed from a different supplier to ensure this will no longer be problem in the future.”

about E. coli infections
Anyone who has eaten any of the implicated products and developed symptoms of E. coli infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about their possible exposure to the bacteria. Specific tests are required to diagnose the infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

The symptoms of E. coli infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, which is often bloody. Some patients may also have a fever. Most patients recover within five to seven days. Others can develop severe or life-threatening symptoms and complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

about 5 percent to 10 percent of those who are diagnosed with E. coli infections develop a potentially life-threatening kidney failure complication, known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, feeling very tired, decreased frequency of urination, small unexplained bruises or bleeding, and pallor. 

Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent injuries or die. This condition can occur among people of any age but is most common in children younger than 5 years old because of their immature immune systems; older adults because of deteriorating immune systems; and people with compromised immune systems such as cancer patients. 

People who experience HUS symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately. People with HUS should be hospitalized because it can cause other serious and ongoing problems such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, brain damage and neurologic problems.