Cyclospora illnesses have spiked to 384 sick in 22 states and 30 hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There has been a cyclospora outbreak, in fact, usually several cyclospora outbreaks, in the United States during the spring and summer months every year since 2013. This is an increase of 323 cases since the last update was issued on June 30, 2022. Cases are still being reported. Last year, there were two cyclospora outbreaks that were unsolved that sickened at least 153 people. In 2020, a cyclospora outbreak linked to Fresh Express bagged salads sickened at least 701 people in 14 states and hospitalized 38. Cases usually peak in June and July, although activity can last through September. The number of clusters vary from season to … [Read more...]
Cyclospora Illnesses Signal That the Season Has Begun With 61 Sick
Cyclospora illnesses signal that the season has begun with at least 61 people sick in 13 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Six people have been hospitalized. The case count by state was not reported, nor was the patient age range. Cases continue to be reported to government officials. Illnesses caused by this parasite are much more common in the spring and summer months in the United States. And there have been multiple cyclospora outbreaks in this country in the past six years. In the past, Cyclospora outbreaks have been linked to cilantro, mesclun lettuce, basil, snow peas, and raspberries. There are also new cyclospora illnesses in Canada. At least 84 people in three provinces are ill, and four have been hospitalized. In 2021, … [Read more...]
Consumer Advisory For Cyclospora in Ocean Mist Romaine Hearts
A consumer advisory for possible cyclospora in Ocean Mist Romaine Hearts has been issued by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. This product was sourced from Ocean Mist Farms of Castroville, California and was grown in Coachella, California. No illnesses associated with the consumption of this product have been reported at this time in Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture found the parasite in the product during routine testing. The Ocean Mist Romaine Hearts are packaged in 22 ounce plastic bags. The product has the code “22RHDM2L” and a harvest date of “MAR 10." The product was sold at these locations in Minnesota: Bob’s Produce Ranch in Fridley Brink’s Market in Chisago City Coborn’s Grocery in Hastings Daggett’s Fresh Foods in Hinckley Driskill’s … [Read more...]
Cyclospora and Salmonella Thompson Outbreaks Grow, Says FDA
The cyclospora and Salmonella Thompson outbreaks are growing, according to the latest information on the FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. The Salmonella Thompson outbreak has now sickened at least 83 people, up from 77 patients in the last update. And the government has ended the investigation into the two cyclospora outbreaks, which have increased to 170 sick total. While traceback has been initiated in the two cyclospora outbreaks, the larger outbreak has seen on-site inspections and sample collection and analysis. Still, even with this work, the investigations were closed with no resolution. In the cyclospora outbreaks, thee FDA added this footnote: "... of two large multistate outbreaks of cyclosporiasis, ill people reported eating a variety of leafy greens before … [Read more...]
Active Food Poisoning Outbreak Investigations From FDA and USDA
What are the current active food poisoning outbreak investigations that the FDA and USDA are investigating? While there have been several outbreak investigations that have closed, there are still six open investigations on the FDA Outbreak Table, and one, possibly two, investigations on the USDA Table. On the FDA Table, there are two cyclospora outbreak investigations. Neither has any product linked to it. The first outbreak has 37 patients, an increase of two more patients since the last update 12 days ago. Traceback has been initiated, but there has been no on-site inspection, no sample collection, and no analysis. The second cyclospora outbreak has 119 patients, an increase of one patient since the last update. Traceback has begun, on-site inspection has been initiated, and … [Read more...]
Dole Blueberries Also Recalled in Canada For Possible Cyclospora
Dole Blueberries are also being recalled in Canada for possible cyclospora contamination. That same product is being recalled in the United States as well. The recalling company in Canada is Save-On-Foods LP. The blueberries were sold in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon, and may have been sold nationally at the consumer level. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of these berries. The fresh Dole Blueberries were sold in three package sizes. The 170 gram size has the UPC number 0 71430 01150 8 and the codes 14632, 15032, 15046, 15646, and 15648. The 510 gram package size has the UPC number 0 71430 01154 6 and the codes 14632, 14732, 15032, 15046, 15232, 15446, 15432, 15646, and 15648. Finally, the blueberries were … [Read more...]
Dole Fresh Blueberries Recalled For Possible Cyclospora Contamination
Dole Fresh Blueberries are being voluntarily recalled for possible Cyclospora contamination. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with the consumption of this product. Dole is working closely with public health officials to try to solve this issue. Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that has contaminated fresh fruit and other types of produce every summer in the United States for the past several years. This parasite is endemic to tropical regions of the globe. The parasite causes symptoms of abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, body aches, fatigue, and most characteristically, explosive and unpredictable diarrhea that can recur for months. In the past, foods recalled for cyclospora contamination include basil, bagged salads, … [Read more...]
Shenandoah Growers Recalls Basil For Possible Cyclospora Contamination
Shenandoah Growers recalls basil for possible cyclospora contamination. The company, based in Harrisonburg, Virginia, issued the recall on February 8, 2021. They are recalling about 3,240 units of branded fresh cut, organic basil packed in clamshells. The basil was packed at the company's location in Indianapolis, Indiana. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with this problem. These are the specific lot codes that are affected: PV40515 1034, PV40515 3034, PV40515 4034, and PV40515 3035. The basil came from the country of Colombia and was harvested from Puerto Vallarta Herbs SAS (Farm) and imported by Vallarta Organics LLC dba Organic Destiny (Importer). You can see the long list of recalled products at the FDA web site, along with pack date, … [Read more...]
Organic Basil Recalled For Possible Cyclospora Contamination
Shenandoah Growers is recalling organic basil for possible cyclospora contamination. As part of the larger recall, Southeastern Grocers, the parent company of Winn Dixie, is recalling organic basil for the same reason. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. The Shenandoah Growers recall includes those clamshells of certified organic basil marked with these specific lot codes that are printed on each package. The basil was distributed to retail stores between October 1, 2020 and October 30, 2020 to these states and locations: Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Washington DC. You can see the long list of recalled products at the FDA web site, along with package sizes, lot … [Read more...]
Fresh Express Cyclospora Warning Letter Sent by FDA
The FDA has sent a Fresh Express cyclospora warning letter as part of the investigation into the multistate foodborne illness outbreak of cyclosporiasis in the summer of 2020. The outbreak sickened at least 701 people in 14 states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA determined that Fresh Express bagged salad mixes that contained iceberg lettuce, carrots, and red cabbage was the source of this outbreak. There was also a Fresh Express cyclospora outbreak in 2018 associated with McDonald's salads that sickened more than 500 people. The product in question was manufactured at the company's facility in Streamwood, Illinois. The presence of Cyclospora cayetanensis in the bagged salads cause them to be adulterated per the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. … [Read more...]
