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...]
Recall of Fresh Express Salads in Canada For Cyclospora Updated
The recall of Fresh Express salad products in Canada for possible cyclospora contamination has been updated to include the correct UPC numbers, package sizes, and expiration dates. No illnesses have been reported in Canada, but there is a cyclospora outbreak in the U.S. potentially linked to Fresh Express salads. All of the recalled products have a lot code beginning with “Z 177” or a lower number. They are all Fresh Express brand. The corrected numbers are labeled with a *. The recalled salads are Chopped Kit Chipotle Cheddar in 323 gram packages with UPC number 0 71279 30931 6* and all best before dates up to and including July 8*, 2020; American in 312 gram packages and UPC number 0 71279 24100 5* with all best before dates up to and including July 11, 2020*; Chopped Kit Thai ‘N’ … [Read more...]
Fresh Express Salads Recalled in Canada For Possible Cyclospora
Fresh Express is recalling some of its Fresh Express brand salad products from the marketplace in Canada for possible cyclospora contamination. No illnesses have been reported in Canada, but Fresh Express ingredients are potentially linked to a large cyclospora outbreak in the United States. All of the recalled products have a lot code beginning with "Z 177" or a lower number. They are all Fresh Express brand. The recalled salads are Chopped Kit Chipotle Cheddar in 323 gram packages with UPC number 0 71279306049 8 and best before date July 8, 2020; American in 312 gram packages and UPC number 0 71279241036 2 with best before date July 11, 2020; Chopped Kit Thai 'N' Cashews in 332 gram packages, with UPC number 0 71279309255 0, and best before date July 11, 2020; and Veggie Lover's in … [Read more...]
Wild Harvest Organic Basil Recalled For Cyclospora Contamination
United Natural Foods is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of Wild Harvest Organic Basil for possible cyclospora contamination. The basil was distributed out of UNFI's Hopkins, Minnesota distribution center to retailers in Minnesota between 4/18/2020 - 5/8/2020. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with this issue. The recall is for Wild Harvest Organic Fresh Basil, sold in 0.25 ounce, 0.75 ounce, 2 once, and 4 ounce plastic clamshell containers. The UPC numbers on the product, respectively, are 0071153550450, 0071153550322, 0071153550762, and 0071153550323. The product has a white sticker with black ink on the back that states "Product of Columbia and "112." Routine sampling found the parasite in the basil. Cyclospora cayetanensis is a … [Read more...]
How Do You Know If You Have a Cyclospora Infection?
Every year for the last several years in the United States, there has been a massive cyclospora outbreak that sickens thousands. In fact, last year several cyclospora outbreaks sickened more than 2,400 people. One of those outbreaks that was linked to imported fresh basil sickened more than 240 people across the country and was the number four outbreak for 2019. So how do you know if you have a cyclospora infection? Cyclosporiasis is the illness caused by this single celled parasite called Cyclospora cayetanensis. People get sick by eating food or drinking water contaminated with the parasite. This infection is not spread person-to-person, since the oocyte needs time, usually one to two weeks, to sporulate and become infectious after it is expelled in feces. The parasite is … [Read more...]
2019 Cyclospora Outbreaks Sickened More Than 2,400
The CDC has issued a final report on the cyclospora outbreaks that hit the United States in 2019. This illness is most common in the summer months, and can run from May through September. Multiple outbreaks of cyclosporiasis were identified and linked to different produce items this year. As of November 13, 2019, there are 2,408 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in 37 states, the District of Columbia, and New York City. These people got sick between May 1 and August 31, 2019, and had no history of international travel during the 14-day period before illness onset. At least 144 people were hospitalized in the various outbreaks. Multiple illness clusters were associated with different restaurants and events. About 10% of ill persons were associated with a multistate … [Read more...]
Rock Garden Organic Basil Recalled For Possible Cyclospora
Publix has posted this recall announcement on their website, regarding Rock Garden Organic Basil. The product is being recalled for possible cyclospora contamination. It was sold at Publix and GreenWise Market. The FDA and CDC are investigating a multistate cyclospora outbreak that may be linked to fresh basil imported from Mexico by Siga Logistics de RL de CV. FDA's traceback found that the basil available at points of sale where consumers who got sick shopped was exported by Siga Logistics. FDA has increased import screening on fresh basil. The FDA has requested that Siga Logistics recall the basil, and is working with the firm on a recall. Do not consume or serve uncooked items like pesto or salad that include fresh basil unless you are sure that the basil was not exported by … [Read more...]
Public Health Alert Issued for Fresh Express Salad and Wrap Products for Cyclospora
The USDA has issued a public health alert for beef, pork, and poultry salad and wrap products that were distributed by Caito Foods of Indiana, for possible cyclospora contamination. That company's lettuce supplier, Fresh Express, told them that the chopped romaine used to make some of their salads and wraps was recalled. There is no indication that this recall of lettuce for cyclospora is linked to the McDonald's cyclospora outbreak linked to their salads, or to the Del Monte Vegetable Tray cyclospora outbreak. These items were produced between July 15 and 18, 2018, with "Best By," "Enjoy by," "Best if Sold By," or "Sell By" dates ranging from July 18 through July 23, 2018. The list of recalled products is difficult to read; but you can zoom in by right clicking on the list; it also … [Read more...]
CDC Offers Tips on Fruit and Vegetable Safety Amid Cyclospora and Salmonella Outbreaks
There are two outbreaks right now in the U.S. that are linked to fresh produce. A cyclospora outbreak linked to Del Monte Vegetable Trays has sickened 212 people in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Michigan. And a Salmonella Adelaide outbreak linked to recalled fresh precut melons has sickened. So the CDC is offering advice on fruit and vegetable safety. Fruits and vegetables are important to a good diet. They help protect y0u from illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, and some cancers. But these types of foods are more likely than others to be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria. And many of these products are not heated before they are consumed, which means any contaminated food will make someone sick. For fruit and vegetable safety, the safest produce has been cooked to a … [Read more...]
Attorneys File Second Lawsuit in Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Del Monte Vegetable Trays Sold at Kwik Trip; More Will Sue
Attorneys at Pritzker Hageman have filed a second lawsuit in the multistate cyclospora outbreak that is linked to recalled Del Monte Vegetable Trays sold at Kwik Trip stores in Minnesota and Wisconsin. This suit was filed in the State of Wisconsin Circuit Court in Eau Claire County. Their client lives in Eau Clare County, Wisconsin. The defendants are Del Monte Fresh Product, Inc., and Kwik Trip. Their client bought multiple Del Monte Vegetable Trays at a Kwik Trip in Eau Claire from May 14 through May 29, 2018. On May 30, 2018, she began suffering nausea and stomach pain. The next day, she suffered vomiting and diarrhea, which was debilitating. She visited her doctor on June 8, 2018. A stool sample yielded a positive test for Cyclospora the next day. She was prescribed an … [Read more...]
