In December of 2010, Alfalfa Sprouts served at Jimmy John’s restaurants were identified as the source of a multi-state outbreak of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella Serotype I 4,5,12,i-. At least 140 people in 26 states and the District of Columbia were diagnosed with Salmonella infections linked to the consumption of contaminated alfalfa sprouts served at Jimmy John's.
Testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified Salmonella serotype I 4,[5],12:i:- at the Tiny Greens Organic Farm, which supplied the Jimmy John's sprouts. The strain of Salmonella found at the farm was indistinguishable from the outbreak strain.
On January 5, 2011 Marler Clark filed a lawsuit on behalf of a 16-year-old girl in Illinois who became ill with a Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:- infection in this outbreak. The firm represented additional victims of the Salmonella outbreak in legal claims.