Jewel-Osco, Aldi, Hy-Vee salads linked to expanded Cyclospora outbreak

Mike Snider
USA TODAYPublished 7:48 PM EDT Jun 23, 2020Health officials are expanding a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections “potentially linked” to certain store brands of garden salad mixes.The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new safety alerts Tuesday recalling more select salads sold at Aldi, Hy-Vee and Jewel-Osco stores in a dozen states.Last week, the FDA and CDC advised consumers in six Midwestern states to not eat certain salads bought at those supermarkets. At that point, there had been 76 confirmed illnesses and 16 hospitalizations in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Minnesota, according to the CDC.In updated alerts, the agencies said the number of confirmed illnesses had grown to 122 – with 19 hospitalizations – from those states with the addition of  Wisconsin. So far, the health agencies have reported no related deaths. Health officials say the illnesses have occurred from May 11 to June 15.Flag removal: Walmart removing Mississippi state flag from stores amid calls to nix Confederate emblemWeddings during coronavirus: What couples are spending on instead of big ceremony — dream home, a vintage school busThe investigation involves Cyclospora infections linked to bagged salad mixes containing carrots, red cabbage, and iceberg lettuce purchased at the three supermarket chains. The microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis can cause symptoms including diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, bloating, increased gas, nausea and fatigue, according to the CDC.The CDC and FDA recommend that supermarkets, shoppers and restaurants do not sell, eat or serve these products:Aldi Little Salad Bar brand Garden Salad, sold in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.Hy-Vee brand 12-ounce bagged Garden Salad sold in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, and WisconsinJewel-Osco Signature Farms brand 12-ounce bagged Garden Salad sold in Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa.All three supermarkets have recalled the salad mixes. Consumers should discard or return the product to the grocer where it was purchased.The CDC says that the investigation indicates recalled salads are “a likely source of this outbreak,” the trio of salad mixes “do not explain all of the illnesses in this outbreak.”So, the CDC and FDA will continue the investigation into other possible products, the agencies say.Follow USA TODAY reporter Mike Snider on Twitter: @MikeSnider.


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