New Salmonella Outbreak Linked to a Product Sold at Trader Joe’s

Laurel Randolph
·2 min read

It was sold in over 29 states.

<p>Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe</p>

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

If you're a frequent Trader Joe's shopper like me, then you may need to check your recent purchases. The popular grocery store has recalled their Infinite Herbs-branded organic fresh basil due to Salmonella contamination. If you've picked up basil from TJ's that is still lingering in your crisper drawer, then go take a look.

The contaminated Infinite Herbs Organic Basil was sold in 29 states as well as D.C. Inifinite Herbs, LLC, in Miami, FL was the supplier of the fresh basil. The packages are 2.5-ounce plastic clamshells and should no longer be on Trader Joe's shelves. However, you could have some still in your fridge, whether in fresh form, in pesto, leftovers, or frozen for later. If you're not sure if the basil you purchased at Trader Joe's was Infinite Herbs brand, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recommends tossing out any suspect items.

So far, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 12 people have been infected with the Salmonella outbreak from seven different states. Seven of the eight cases with information available reported exposure to fresh basil from Trader Joe's. The investigation is ongoing, so stay tuned to the FDA to find out if more products will be linked to the outbreak.

Symptoms of Salmonella include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, and young children and the elderly are more likely to have severe cases. Illness usually occurs within 72 hours of eating contaminated food. If you consumed Infinite Herbs Organic Basil from Trader Joe's and are experiencing symptoms, contact your health care provider.

The potentially contaminated basil was sold in these states as well as Washington, D.C.:

  • Alabama

  • Connecticut

  • Delaware

  • Florida

  • Georgia

  • Iowa

  • Illinois

  • Indiana

  • Kansas

  • Kentucky

  • Maryland

  • Massachusetts

  • Maine

  • Minnesota

  • Michigan

  • Missouri

  • North Carolina

  • Nebraska

  • New Hampshire

  • New Jersey

  • New York

  • Ohio

  • Pennsylvania

  • Rhode Island

  • South Carolina

  • Tennessee

  • Virginia

  • Vermont

  • Wisconsin

What To Do If You Have the Recalled Product at Home

Check your fridge for the recalled product. Do not eat any of it. You should discard it or bring it to any Trader Joe's for a full refund. For any questions, contact Trader Joe's Customer Relations online or at 626-599-3817 Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.

Read the original article on Simply Recipes.