Update: New Bagged Salad Products Linked to Cyclospora Outbreak
Recalls of bagged salad product contaminated with Cyclospora continue to roll in as the CDC and FDA work to trace all products from producer Fresh Express. As of June 27, 2020, Fresh Express released a preventative recall on all their bagged salad products containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and/or carrots that was produced at the Fresh Express factory in Streamwood, Illinois. All of these recalled products will display “Product Code” Z178 or a lower number. While previously only effecting the Midwest with recalls, the recalls now reach across the country in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Supermarkets throughout the country were issued the recalls between June 6, 2020, to June 26, 2020, and are working to pull all effected products from shelves. After originally recalling only garden bagged salads, the recalled products now contain a large variety with 91 different products recalled, including Coleslaw, Kale Salad, Shredded Lettuce, and Chopped Salad Kits. The salads were sold in a multitude of grocery stores, including ALDI, Jewel-Osco, Hy-Vee, and Walmart.
This substantial recall of 91 different products transpired after a reported total of 206 illnesses, 23 hospitilizations, and zero deaths, with more reported illnesses expected. Cyclospora infections, known as cyclosporiasis, present as typical food poisoning symptoms, such as diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and nausea. Symptoms typically begin after 4-6 of consumption, so the CDC expects more reported illnesses in the future due to the recalled salads. Fresh Express, the producing company, can be contacted for any questions at 1-(800)-242-5472 Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET or on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET. If you are experiencing symptoms of cyclosporiasis, contact your physician for an antibiotic treatment.
FOr a list of 91 recalled items: See