No tainted basil sold at California Trader Joe's. Chain pulls herb from shelves elsewhere

Jessica Skropanic, Redding Record Searchlight
Updated ·2 min read

Shoppers at Trader Joe's stores in California and Oregon can breathe a little easier.

The grocery chain's stores in those two states aren't among those described by federal health officials as selling fresh organic basil from Infinite Herbs, a product with some units suspected of being tainted with salmonella, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This includes stores in Redding, Chico and Medford.

The CDC announced on April 18 that it was part of a federal investigation into an outbreak of the bacteria across seven states.

Trader Joe's has issued a voluntary recall for packages of 2.5oz Infinite Herbs Organic Basil over concerns of Salmonella potentially impacting customers in 29 different states.
Trader Joe's has issued a voluntary recall for packages of 2.5oz Infinite Herbs Organic Basil over concerns of Salmonella potentially impacting customers in 29 different states.

As of Wednesday, 12 people reported feeling sick after they ate the basil product, purchased between Feb. 1 and April 6. Of those 12 cases, one person was sick enough to be hospitalized, according to the FDA and CDC.

States with three or more cases are Minnesota and Florida. People in Georgia, Missouri, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Wisconsin also reported cases, the CDC said.

As of April 12, 2024, people reported 12 salmonella cases with possible links to Infinite Herbs fresh organic basil, sold at Trader Joe's stores in seven states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pale green states had one to two reported cases, while Florida and Minnesota (darker green) had three or more cases, the CDC said.

"Trader Joe’s ceased shipments of Infinite Herbs organic basil on April 12" and pulled the product from store shelves at locations in 29 states and the District of Columbia, the CDC reported.

The CDC added: "This outbreak may not be limited to the (seven) states with known illnesses, and the true number of sick people is likely much higher than the number reported."

Trader Joe's customers across 29 states were exposed to the recalled basil product, which was sold at stores between February 1 and April 6.
Trader Joe's customers across 29 states were exposed to the recalled basil product, which was sold at stores between February 1 and April 6.

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Salmonella is a bacterial disease of the intestinal tract. People get infected by drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food, according to the Mayo Clinic.

While some people never show symptoms, most develop "diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps within eight to 72 hours after exposure," the Mayo Clinic reported. Healthy people usually "recover within a few days to a week without specific treatment," the Mayo Clinic said.

Reporter Amaris Encinas with USA Today contributed to this story.

Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: No salmonella in basil sold at Trader Joe’s in California, Oregon