Naming additional retailers in relation to a parasitic outbreak associated with bagged salad mixes, U.S. officials are confident in evidence that is showing a Fresh Express production plant implicated in previous recalls and outbreaks is the likely source of contaminated products.
Ninety-one products distributed to a total of 30 states and the District of Columbia are under recall in relation to an outbreak of Cyclospora infections that has sickened more than 200 people so far, according to an outbreak update and advisory posted by the Food and Drug Administration.
“Currently, the epidemiologic and traceback information collected by federal and state investigators indicates that a likely cause of this outbreak is a product made at the Fresh Express production facility in Streamwood, IL.” according to the FDA update.
The investigation includes Fresh Express-branded products as well as products made by Fresh Express for retail store brands sold at Aldi, Giant Eagle, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco, ShopRite and Walmart. Investigators continue to look into whether other retail brands may be involved, the FDA officials reported.
The most recent list of products subject to recall in the U.S. in relation to this outbreak includes more than 90 products. The recalled products displaying the product code Z178 or lower are implicated and were sold in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
The recalled retail store brands are Aldi’s Little Salad Bar, Giant Eagle, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco Signature Farms, ShopRite Wholesome Pantry, and Walmart Marketside.
A nationwide recall posted this week in Canada also involves Fresh Express branded salad products contaminated with the Cyclospora parasite, however, the recall notice posted in that country does not reference the outbreak or recalls in the United States. The notice posted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said no illnesses have been confirmed in relation to the recalled salads in Canada.
In 2018, more than 500 people were confirmed infected in an outbreak of Cyclospora infections traced to salad ingredients Fresh Express supplied to McDonald’s restaurants in 16 states. The implicated salad in that outbreak was also from the Fresh Express production plant in Streamwood.
Fresh Express supplies fresh produce to a variety of buyers, including food service operations and retailers across the country.
(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)
