A multi-state Cyclospora outbreak has hospitalized 23 people and sickened over 200, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a news release Friday.
The CDC said that the outbreak is potentially linked to “garden salads” sold in Aldi, Hy-Vee, and Jewel-Osco grocery stores that contained iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots. An investigation found that the mix, which is produced by Fresh Express, was also sold at some Walmart stores. The mixes are under different brand names at different stores.
Health officials issued an alert earlier this week over the multi-state outbreak of the parasitic infection Cyclospora—a diarrhea-causing microscopic parasite—that has sickened 206 people so far, the release stated.
The Cyclospora-infected cases are in eight states mostly in the Midwest, with illnesses being discovered from May 11, the CDC said. No deaths have been reported so far.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CDC said the products were voluntarily recalled at Walmart, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco, and Aldi stores in over a dozen states. The bagged salads were labeled “Garden Salad” and have since been removed from the stores’ shelves.
The CDC said to “not eat, sell, or serve” the following products:
- Recalled Walmart Marketside brand Classic Iceberg Salad sold in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin
- 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 they have a bag they 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.
Cyclosporiasis outbreaks are reported throughout the year but it’s most common during spring and summer months, according to the CDC.
“Previous U.S. outbreaks of cyclosporiasis have been linked to various types of imported fresh produce (e.g. basil, cilantro, mesclun lettuce, raspberries, and snow peas),” said the CDC.
Last year the CDC received reports of multiple outbreaks of the disease linked to various products. There were 2,408 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in 37 states and at least 144 people were hospitalized.
The CDC and FDA had investigated multiple cases linked to restaurants and events.
Epoch Times reporter Venus Upadhayaya contributed to this report.
