The McDonald’s Fresh Express cyclospora outbreak that is linked to McDonald’s salads has now sickened 436 people in 15 states. Twenty people have been hospitalized. The last reported illness started on July 20, 2018.
The case count by state is: Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Iowa (95), Illinois (219), Indiana (1), Kentucky (8), Michigan (2), Minnesota (9), Missouri (52), Nebraska (5), Ohio (15), South Dakota (14), Tennessee (1), Virginia (1), and Wisconsin (10). The patients from Connecticut, Tennessee, and Virginia bought salads from McDonald’s while traveling in Illinois. The Florida patient purchased a McDonald’s salad while traveling in Kentucky.
McDonald’s stopped serving salads at 3,000 restaurants in the midwest on July 13, 2018. They replaced the supplier of salad products to those locations.
The FDA found cyclospora parasites in a Fresh Express salad mix that contained romaine lettuce and carrots that had been distributed to McDonald’s. Fresh Express sold the romaine lettuce to Caito Foods, which used it in beef, pork, and poultry salad and wrap products that were recalled on July 30, 2018. Those products were sold at Kroger, Trader Joe’s, Walgreens, and Gordon Food Service. Anyone who ate those products should be aware of this McDonald’s Fresh Express cyclospora outbreak.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the Caito Foods recalled products. Anyone who did eat them should be aware of this connection and possible contamination.
You an contact food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker if you think you are part of the McDonald’s Fresh Express cyclospora outbreak at 1-888-378-8900 or 612-338-0202.
Attorney Fred Pritzker, who is representing clients sickened in this McDonald’s Fresh Express cyclospora outbreak said, “Outbreaks caused by this parasite are becoming more and more common. Producers, processors, and retailers must do everything they can to make sure the produce and salads they serve are safe for consumers to eat.”
The symptoms of cyclosporiasis include frequent, explosive, and watery diarrhea, fever, body aches, stomach and abdominal cramps and pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms usually start a week after consuming the parasite. This infection can go away and then return if not treated.
If you ate a McDonald’s salad this summer and have been ill with these symptoms, see your doctor. You may be part of this McDonald’s Fresh Express cyclospora outbreak.
