FDA, CDC Investigating Cyclospora Outbreak Linked To Bagged Salads Sold At Aldi, Jewel-Osco, Hy-Vee

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are investigating a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora that is potentially linked to Aldi, Hy-Vee, and Jewel-Osco garden salads.

Cyclospora is a parasite that can cause intestinal illnesses. It is typically contracted when feces contaminate food or water, but it is unlikely to transmit from person-to-person.

Symptoms of Cyclospora include watery diarrhea, with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps and pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Those infected with Cyclospora may also experience vomiting, body aches, headache, low-grade fever, and other flu-like symptoms. In some instances, there are no symptoms.

The time between becoming infected with Cyclospora and getting sick is usually about one week. Without treatment, Cyclospora illnesses may last from a few days to a month or longer.

The FDA said that 76 people have become ill from Cyclospora linked to the bagged salad, with 16 individuals hospitalized from May 11 to June 14. Cases were reported in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska. There have been zero deaths from the outbreak.

The salad suspected to have caused the Cyclospora infections contains iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots and is labeled under the store brands as garden salads. Labels of the product can be viewed here.

The garden salads were sold as Aldi Little Salad Bar Brand Garden Salad in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Missouri, while the Hy-Vee Brand Garden Salad was sold in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska. The Jewel-Osco Signature Farms Brand Garden Salad was sold in Illinois.

Consumers are urged not to eat the affected garden salads from these retailers.

The investigation by the FDA and the CDC is ongoing, but the agencies said their studies have indicated that the bagged salads are likely the cause of the Cyclospora illnesses. The FDA is looking to trace the supplier and distributor of the salads to determine the exact source of the outbreak.

The FDA has warned that the investigation is only in the beginning stages, and there may be more retailers and products affected by this Cyclospora outbreak.

Cyclospora illnesses have been linked to raspberries, basil, cilantro, snow peas, and mesclun lettuce in the past. It is unknown how feces may contaminate the produce, but washing and rinsing vegetables and fruit is not likely to remove the parasite.