A Cyclospora outbreak linked to Fresh Express garden salads sold under store brand names now includes 122 total illnesses and a seventh state, Wisconsin. The implicated bagged salads were sold under store brand names at ALDI, Hy-Vee and Jewel-Osco stores in 12 Midwestern states. All three of the grocery store companies have issued recalls.
Since the outbreak was announced on June 19, 46 more cases have been confirmed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is aware of additional clusters of illness and is working to determine if they are connected to this outbreak. The number of cases reported from the seven states currently identified is: Illinois (30), Iowa (54), Kansas (1), Minnesota (13), Missouri (7) Nebraska (8), and Wisconsin (9).
The people sickened in this outbreak, who range in age from 16 to 92 years old, reported the onset of symptoms on dates ranging from May 11, 2020 to June 15, 2020. During interviews with health officials, these patients reported eating ALDI Little Salad Bar Brand Garden Salad, Hy-Vee Brand Garden Salad, or Jewel-Osco Signature Farms Garden Salad in the week before they became ill.
The human intestine is the only known reservoir for the parasite Cyclospora. This means that food carrying the parasite is contaminated with microscopic amounts of fecal matter from an infected person.
Symptoms of a Cyclospora infection include explosive diarrhea that is sometimes watery, muscle aches, abdominal cramps, vomiting, fever and other flu-like symptoms. These symptoms can last for weeks or months if untreated. Often they come in waves, appearing to resolve and then resuming. If you ate this salad and developed these symptoms, see a doctor. A stool sample test can determine if you have an infection.
Fresh Express salad sold at McDonald’s was the source of a 2018 Cyclospora outbreak. Pritzker Hageman Cyclospora lawyers represented multiple clients in that outbreak and in every other major Cyclospora outbreak in the U.S. If you got sick from contaminated food, we can help. For a free consultation with our experienced legal team, please call 1-888-377-8900, send a text 612-261-0856, or complete the form below. There is no obligation and we don’t get paid unless we win.