A salmonella scare has prompted a voluntary recall of organic basil from supermarket chain Trader Joe’s, affecting stores across 29 states. The recall, induced by a string of infections, was announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Infinite Herbs, the manufacturer of the contaminated 2.5-ounce clamshell containers of basil, reported at least 12 cases of illness, including one hospitalization, according to a notice from NBC Chicago.

Trader Joe’s swiftly took measures to immediately stop shipping the product on April 12 and begun to thoroughly remove it from store shelves. Alerting customers, Trader Joe's indicated that anyone in possession of Infinite Herbs organic basil should dispose of it. Seven of the confirmed cases were linked to purchases at Trader Joe’s locations, revealing a possible breach of trust for patrons who often to turn to the retailer for safer, usually more reliable options for healthy food, as per information by the CDC reported by CBS News.

The infection typically manifests between six hours and six days after the bacteria is ingested, and while most people recover within four to seven days without treatment, certain demographics including children under five and adults aged 65 or older, may experience more severe illness. Salmonella's common symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, and those who consumed the potentially contaminated basil and are experiencing such symptoms were urged to seek medical attention.

"I am heartbroken at the thought that any item we sold may have caused illness or discomfort," revealed Grego Berliavsky, CEO of Infinite Herbs, in a poignant statement posted on their website. The affected product was reportedly sold between February 1 through April 6, with a UPC of 8 18042 02147 7. The recall spans across a swath of the United States, counting major population centers and smaller regions alike, evidencing the product's wide distribution and reach.

Trader Joe's has reassured customers that they may return the basil for a refund, and provided contact information for queries, indicating Trader Joe’s readiness to field concerns from their customer base. The retailer’s responsive handling of the issue, including the rapid removal and refund offer, were calculated to potentially minimize the event’s impact on shopper confidence.