The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released this update June 26, 2020
The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners continue to investigate a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections potentially linked to ALDI, Hy-Vee, Walmart, and Jewel-Osco grocery store brand salads containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots.
ALDI’s Little Salad Bar Brand Garden Salads, Hy-Vee’s Garden Salad, Jewel-Osco’s Signature Farms Garden Salad, and Walmart’s Marketside Classic Iceberg Salad” have been recalled. All of the recalled salads were sold in mid-western states. Fresh Express BB #:115030 is the manufacturer of each of these recalled salads. FDA continues to investigate whether other retail brands of these salads may be impacted.
Recommendations
Consumers should not eat, and restaurants and retailers should not sell or serve any Fresh Express products currently on the market that were made in the Streamwood, Illinois, production facility and contain either iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, or carrots. These products are identifiable with a product code beginning with a “Z.”
The Fresh Express production facility in Streamwood, Illinois has recently produced salad products that may have the potential to contain Cyclospora.
Additionally, consumers should not eat, and restaurants and retailers should not sell or serve recalled Hy-Vee Brand Garden Salad, recalled Jewel-Osco Signature Farms Brand Garden Salad, recalled Walmart’s Marketside Classic Iceberg Salad, or recalled ALDI Little Salad Bar Brand Garden salad.
The Hy-Vee Brand Garden Salads were sold in stores in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The Jewel-Osco Signature Farms Brand Garden Salads were sold in Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa. The ALDI Little Salad Bar Brand Garden Salads were sold in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The recalled Walmart brand Marketside Classic Iceberg Salads were sold in Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Investigation Update June 26, 2020
On June 25, 2020, Fresh Express recalled 12- and 24-ounce bagged Walmart Marketside Classic Iceberg Salad, sold in Walmart stores in Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
On June 22, 2020, ALDI, in association with Fresh Express Inc., recalled ALDI’s 12-ounce Little Salad Bar Brand Garden Salads from stores in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
On June 20, 2020, Hy-Vee and Jewel-Osco recalled their 12-ounce bagged and labeled “Garden Salad” products. Hy-Vee recalled its 12 oz. Hy-Vee Bagged Garden Salad product on June 20, 2020 across its eight-state region.
On June 20, in a press release, Jewel-Osco stated its recall of bagged Signature Farms Garden Salad, sold in its stores in Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa, was ”in cooperation with the Fresh Express recall of bagged salads potentially linked to an outbreak of Cyclospora infections” in midwestern states.
Fresh Express is the manufacturer of each of these recalled salads.
Although the investigation is ongoing, CDC’s analysis of epidemiologic information indicates that bagged salads from ALDI, Hy-Vee, Walmart, and Jewel-Osco grocery stores are a likely cause of the illnesses.
FDA has begun an inspection at the Fresh Express production facility in Streamwood, Illinois, and has concerns that other products made with iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, or carrots may have the potential to be contaminated with Cyclospora. FDA has discussed these concerns with Fresh Express and the firm has agreed to recall the products of concern. More information on the recall will be forthcoming from Fresh Express.
FDA has also initiated a traceback investigation to determine supplier and distributor information to find the cause and source of the outbreak.
There may be additional retailers and products impacted by this outbreak. FDA is working with Fresh Express to identify other retailers it has supplied with products containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots.
FDA is continuing to work with retailers to ensure the potentially adulterated products are effectively removed from the market place. As this outbreak investigation continues, the FDA will provide additional updates to this advisory.
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 206
Hospitalizations: 23
Deaths: 0
Illness Onset Date Range: 5/11/2020 – 6/17/2020
States with Cases: IA (74), IL (57), KS (1), MN (25), MO (10), NE (20), ND (6), WI (13)
