Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Basil Sold at Trader Joe's
Following a salmonella outbreak that has affected 12 individuals, Trader Joe's has removed the Infinite Herbs-branded basil from its stores in 29 states.
The affected organic basil was packaged in 2.5-ounce clamshell-style plastic containers, as stated in a recent update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Consumers who have purchased this basil are advised not to consume it and to either discard it or return it to Trader Joe's.
According to the statement, seven out of the 12 affected individuals had purchased or were likely to have purchased the product from Trader Joe's. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported that the cases of illness have been reported in seven states: Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.
As a result of the outbreak, one person has been hospitalized, according to the agencies.
Salmonella poisoning can lead to severe illness, particularly in young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Common symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, usually appearing within 12 hours to three days after consuming contaminated food.
In a public announcement released on its official website, Infinite Herbs CEO Grego Berliavsky disclosed that the company has initiated a voluntary recall of certain 2.5-ounce packs of fresh organic basil that were distributed from February 1 to April 6, bearing the UPC 8 18042 02147 7, due to potential contamination with salmonella.
"It saddens me to think that any product we supplied may have led to sickness or discomfort," expressed Berliavsky.
The affected basil has been removed from Trader Joe's outlets across 29 states and Washington, D.C., and is no longer available for purchase. The impacted states include:
- Alabama
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Pennsylvannia
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Vermont
- Wisconsin
Trader Joe's has provided instructions for customers who have purchased the affected basil to return it to the store for a full refund. For further assistance, customers can reach out to Trader Joe's at (626) 599-3817 or via email through their online contact form.
