Certain fresh basil grown in Colombia and distributed by a Minnesota company, United Natural Foods Inc., has tested positive for a microscopic parasite.

The recall covers a variety of sizes of packages of the fresh basil, all of which carries a label with 112 and “Product of Colombia, according to the company’s recall notice posted be the Food and Drug Administration. 

There is concern consumers may still have unused portions of the fresh herb in their homes because the implicated product was sold by retailers through May 8. No parasitic infections or other illnesses had been confirmed in relation to the recalled basil as of the posting of the recall notice.

“Consumers who believe that they are in possession of any of the above products affected by this recall should dispose of the product in an appropriate waste container. For any inquiries, consumers may call 888-256-2800,” according to the recall notice.

The food company reported it distributed the recalled basil to grocery stores in Minnesota. It was sold from April 18 through May 8. It can take more than two weeks for the parasite to develop to the point that an infected person can spread the microbe to others, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This recall includes Wild Harvest Organic Fresh Basil products sold in .25-ounce, .75-ounce, 2-ounce, and 4-ounce plastic clam shell containers  with the UPC numbers of: 0071153550450, 0071153550322, 0071153550762, 0071153550323. 

The Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite can cause an intestinal illness in people called cyclosporiasis. Symptoms of cyclosporiasis may include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, increased gas, nausea and fatigue. Other symptoms that may occur but are less common include vomiting and low-grade fever.

Symptoms may last from a few days to a few weeks.

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