Health officials issued an alert on Tuesday over a multi-state outbreak of the parasitic infection cyclospora, linked to bagged salad mixes, that has sickened over 100 people so far, according to a release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“As of June 22, 2020, a total of 122 people with laboratory-confirmed cyclospora infections associated with this outbreak have been reported from 7 states: Illinois (30), Iowa (54), Kansas (1), Minnesota (13), Missouri (7), Nebraska (8), and Wisconsin (9),” the center stated.
A total of 19 people have been hospitalized so far following an infection. No deaths have been reported, the CDC said.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CDC said the products were recalled at Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco, and Aldi grocery stores in over a dozen states. The bagged salads were labeled “Garden Salad” and have since been removed from the stores’ shelves.
Bagged salads that contain carrots, red cabbage, and iceberg lettuce have been linked to the outbreak following interviews with people who have been sickened after eating the salad mixes.
The CDC said to “not eat, sell, or serve” the following products:
- Recalled (pdf) Aldi Little Salad Bar brand Garden Salad sold in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin
- Recalled Hy-Vee brand 12-ounce bagged Garden Salad sold in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin
- Recalled Jewel-Osco Signature Farms brand 12-ounce bagged Garden Salad sold in Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa
The FDA said they are continuing their investigation as there “may be additional retailers and products impacted by this outbreak.”
“FDA is working with retailers to ensure the potentially adulterated products are effectively removed from the market place. As this outbreak investigation continues, the FDA will continue to provide additional updates to this advisory,” the department stated.
The report alerted consumers to not eat the recalled salads and if you have a bag you should throw it out immediately, even if nobody got sick after eating the recalled product.
Cyclospora is a single-celled parasite that is too small to be seen without a microscope. It causes watery diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Aching, fever, loss of appetite, and general fatigue are also symptoms.
Since the 1990s, lettuce, snow peas, and raspberries have been sources for cyclospora outbreaks.
