By Ciara Perez, News Reporter | iSkyCreations - News & Media (ISC)Publish Date: May 20th, 2024
Mysterious Illness Linked to Popular Herb Sold Nationwide
According to the FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are urgently investigating a terrifying outbreak of Salmonella linked to recalled organic basil. This sudden and mysterious outbreak has already sickened 12 people across seven states, with one victim hospitalized.
Recalled Products
Infinite Herbs Brand Organic Basil:
Packaged in 2.5 oz clamshell-style containers.
Sold at Trader Joe’s stores in 29 states and Washington, D.C.: AL, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI.
Also sold at Fruit Center Marketplace stores in MA.
Sold between February 1, 2024, and April 6, 2024.
Trader Joe’s has removed this product from stores, and it is no longer available for purchase.
Melissa’s Brand Fresh Organic Basil:
Packaged in 2 oz and 4 oz containers.
Sold at Dierberg’s stores in Illinois and Missouri between February 10, 2024, and February 20, 2024.
This product is outdated and no longer available for sale.
What You Should Do
Do not eat any recalled basil. Check your home for the recalled basil listed above. Throw it away or return it to the place of purchase.
Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the basil using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.
Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following severe Salmonella symptoms:
Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
Diarrhea for more than three days that is not improving
Bloody diarrhea
Excessive vomiting that prevents you from keeping liquids down
Signs of dehydration, such as reduced urination, dry mouth and throat, or feeling dizzy when standing up.
Symptoms of Salmonella
Most people infected with Salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Symptoms usually start 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria. Most people recover without treatment within 4 to 7 days. However, some people—especially children younger than five years, adults 65 years and older, and those with weakened immune systems—may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization.
For more information about Salmonella, visit the Salmonella Questions and Answers page.
Investigation Status
The investigation remains active. On April 18, 2024, Infinite Herbs, LLC, of Miami, FL, voluntarily recalled 2.5-oz packages of Infinite Herbs-brand fresh organic basil sold at select Trader Joe’s stores and Fruit Center Marketplace stores in Massachusetts from February 1 through April 6, 2024. On April 19, 2024, the recall expanded to include Melissa’s-brand organic basil sold in 2.0 and 4.0-oz packages at Dierberg’s stores in Illinois and Missouri between February 10 through February 20, 2024. Both brands of recalled basil are no longer available for sale, and any previously purchased basil should be past shelf life. If you previously purchased recalled basil and then froze it, you should throw it away if it’s part of the recall or if you cannot tell if it’s part of the recall.
Source: FDA
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