Salmonella outbreak linked to fresh basil sold at Trader Joe’s
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a food safety alert today concerning an outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to potentially contaminated basil.
Officials have received reports of 12 Salmonella infections in seven states- Minnesota (4), Florida (3), Georgia (1), Missouri (1), New Jersey (1), Rhode Island (1) and Wisconsin (1). One person has been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.
Illnesses started on dates ranging from February 11, 2024, to April 2, 2024.
The illnesses have been linked to Infinite Herbs organic basil that was sold at Trader Joe’s in 29 states (AL, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI and Washington, D.C.), in 2.5 oz clamshell-style containers.
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Of 12 people interviewed, 10 (83%) reported shopping at Trader Joe’s. Seven sick people reported buying or likely buying organic basil in 2.5 oz clamshell-style containers from Trader Joe’s. Additionally, traceback data collected by FDA determined that Infinite Herbs, LLC, in Miami, Florida, was the supplier of the 2.5-oz packages of organic basil sold at Trader Joe’s stores.
In Minnesota, where one-third of the cases have been reported, the cases were between 3 and 59 years of age, all from the metro area.
CDC says the true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses.
Trader Joe’s ceased shipments of Infinite Herbs organic basil on April 12, 2024, and no product remains in stores.
CDC advises you throw away any Infinite Herbs organic basil purchased from Trader Joe’s and to clean surfaces and items that may have touched contaminated basil, including refrigerator shelves and cutting boards.
Most people infected with Salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
Symptoms usually start 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria. Most people recover without treatment after 4 to 7 days.
Some people—especially children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems—may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization.