The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released this update June 29, 2020:
Currently, the epidemiologic and traceback information collected by federal and state investigators indicates that a likely cause of this outbreak is product made at the Fresh Express BB #:115030 production facility in Streamwood, Illinois.
FDA has begun an inspection at the Fresh Express production facility in Streamwood, Illinois and has begun a traceback investigation to find the cause and source of the outbreak. FDA has also been working with Fresh Express to identify other retailers it has supplied with products containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, or carrots.
Between June 20 and June 25, there were recalls of salad products containing these ingredients. These recalls included products sold at ALDI, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco, and Walmart.
On June 26, 2020, FDA and CDC discussed with Fresh Express concerns that additional products made in the Streamwood facility could also contain Cyclospora. The firm agreed to recall the products of concern.
On June 27, 2020, Fresh Express recalled products containing either iceberg lettuce, red cabbage or carrots and displaying the product code Z178, or a lower number. The recalled products were made in the Fresh Express production facility in Streamwood, Illinois and have the potential to be contaminated with Cyclospora.
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.
The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners continue to investigate a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections potentially linked to salad products that were made by Fresh Express containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots and that were sold in several regions of the United States.
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 impacted.
Recommendations
On June 27, 2020, Fresh Express recalled products containing either iceberg lettuce, red cabbage or carrots and displaying the product code Z178, or a lower number. The “Best by” date on the products run through July 14, 2020.
The product code is located in the upper right-hand corner of the front of each package. Consumers should not eat, and restaurants and retailers should not sell or serve any of the recalled products. These products may either be branded with the Fresh Express label, or they may be branded with a number of retail store brand labels.
The recalled retail store brands are ALDI Little Salad Bar, Giant Eagle, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco Signature Farms, ShopRite Wholesome Pantry, and Walmart Marketside.
The recalled products displaying the product code Z178 or lower 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 products were made in the Fresh Express production facility in Streamwood, Illinois and have the potential to be contaminated with Cyclospora. The recent Fresh Express recall also includes previously recalled store brands.
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)
