Popular grocery chain Trader Joe's has issued a voluntary recall for their Infinite Herbs-brand organic basil after the product was linked to a salmonella outbreak that spans across various states. The recall involves 2.5-oz clamshell packages of the herb, and affects stores in Washington, D.C. as well as 29 states including Tennessee—a development, as reported by FOX17.
The outbreak has been connected to at least a dozen cases of salmonella infections across seven states. The latest case within this investigation was reported to have begun on April 2, highlighting the ongoing risk to consumers. Customers are being cautioned by Trader Joe's to discard the product, or they can opt for a full refund, as per NPR.
Investigations by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have identified Infinite Herbs LLC, in Miami, FL, as the source of the contaminated basil. In an effort to prevent further illness, the CDC has explicitly advised consumers who might have re-packaged and frozen the basil and are uncertain as to whether it's part of the recall, to err on the side of caution and dispose of it.
In a statement obtained by 9News, it was noted that "states with cases from the salmonella outbreak include Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Wisconsin." Additionally, the CDC points out that the true count of affected individuals is likely higher given that many individuals recover from salmonella without seeking medical care and, hence, are not tested for the infection.
Trader Joe's and the FDA continue their investigation to pinpoint the exact source of contamination and to determine if additional products are connected to this outbreak. Meanwhile, salmonella's symptoms—which can appear 12 to 72 hours after consuming contaminated food—include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, posing severe risks, particularly to children under five, the elderly, and others with weakened immune systems, according to NPR. Those experiencing symptoms are urged to contact their healthcare provider.
