Salmonella outbreak includes Trader Joe’s stores in the Carolinas

Alyssa Storm
·2 min read

TOPEKA (KSNT) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating a multi-state salmonella outbreak linked to herbs sold at Trader Joe’s stores.

Health officials believe the outbreak may stem from Infinite Herbs organic basil sold in 2.5-ounce clamshell packaging. Trader Joe’s has voluntarily removed the basil from store shelves but had previously sold the item at locations in Washington, D.C., and 29 states:

(Food and Drug Administration)
(Food and Drug Administration)

  • Alabama

  • Connecticut

  • Delaware

  • Florida

  • Georgia

  • Iowa

  • Illinois

  • Indiana

  • Kansas

  • Kentucky

  • Massachusetts

  • Maryland

  • Maine

  • Michigan

  • Minnesota

  • Missouri

  • North Carolina

  • Nebraska

  • New Hampshire

  • New Jersey

  • New York

  • Ohio

  • Pennsylvania

  • Rhode Island

  • South Carolina

  • Tennessee

  • Virginia

  • Vermont

  • Wisconsin

Infinite Herbs, of Miami, Florida, has also voluntarily recalled the product.

Trader Joe’s raised the price of a single banana after 23 years

As of April 18, the CDC had identified 12 illnesses linked to the outbreak across seven states: Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Wisconsin. One patient was hospitalized. The CDC estimates the “true number” of sickened individuals to be much higher, as some people may not report their illness or seek medical care.

Illness caused by salmonella infection can begin to show as soon as six hours after ingesting the bacteria or up to six days later, according to the CDC. Common symptoms include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, and typically last four to seven days.

The FDA advises consumers in the affected states to check their refrigerators and freezers and to refrain from eating Infinite Herbs organic basil from Trader Joe’s. The FDA has guidelines for safe handling and cleaning if a surface or container may have come in contact with a product to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

The agency also urges consumers to contact a health care provider if they believe they may have symptoms of a salmonella infection.

Do I have salmonella poisoning, or is it something else entirely?

Infinite Herbs organic basil is currently the only product linked to the outbreak. Officials are investigating whether other herbs could be contaminated.

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