An imported basil Cyclospora outbreak has sickened 132 people in 11 states, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Four people have been hospitalized.
States included in the outbreak are: CT, FL, GA, IA, MA, MN, NY, OH, RI, SC, and WI.
Using information gathered from interviews with case-patients, the FDA traced back the supplier of basil from various points of sale and determined that Siga Logistics de RL de CV of Morelos, Mexico was the exporter of the product. The agency requested the company to issue a recall and it has done so. This recall prompted Publix to recall Rock Garden organic basil. Consumers and restaurants who have purchased basil imported from Mexico should check recall information carefully. This product should not be eaten.
Cyclospora is a parasite native to sub-tropical climates. Foods get contaminated when they make contact with human or animal feces containing the parasitic eggs. If the tainted food is then ingested, a Cyclospora infection, called cyclosporiasis, develops within two to ten days.
Symptoms of cyclosporiasis include diarrhea that is profuse and often explosive, abdominal cramps, nausea, headache, fatigue, weight loss, and other flu-like symptoms. Untreated, these symptoms can last more than two months.
The food safety lawyers at Pritzker Hageman law firm well how debilitating these symptoms can be. No other law firm in the U.S. has represented more clients in recent large-scale Cyclospora outbreaks. If you have been sickened by basil contaminated with Cyclospora, we can help. To request a free consultation, call 1 (888) 377-8900 (toll-free), send a text to 612-261-0856 or complete the form below and put our experienced Cyclospora Team to work for you.