For the second time in two years, Pritzker Hageman attorneys are representing clients sickened by the parasite Cyclospora in salads made by Fresh Express. Both outbreaks were linked to salads produced at the company’s facility in Streamwood, IL.
In 2018, salad mix made by the Salinas, CA-based company and sold at McDonald’s locations in Midwestern states, sickened more than 500 people. The current outbreak, linked to bagged garden salad mixes sold under ALDI, Hy-Vee and Jewel-Osco store brand names in Midwestern states, has sickened more than 120 people.
“Fresh Express is a repeat offender. As we have before, we will hold Fresh Express accountable for manufacturing and selling unsafe food,” said Food Safety Attorney Raymond Trueblood-Konz.
The maps below show the states affected in each outbreak.
Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Fresh Express Salad Sold Under Store Brand Names
The ongoing outbreak is linked to “garden salads” containing iceberg lettuce, carrots and red cabbage that were sold under store brand names at ALDI, Hy-Vee and Jewel-Osco stores in 12 Midwestern states. The number of cases reported from each state is: Illinois (30), Iowa (54), Kansas (1), Minnesota (13), Missouri (7) Nebraska (8), and Wisconsin (9).
The three grocery store companies have issued recalls, but Fresh Express has not issued a statement.
Cyclospora is a parasite that lives in the human intestine. It is transmitted when people eat food that is contaminated with microscopic amounts of fecal matter from an infected person. This can occur through direct contact or if water contaminated with human fecal matter contacts food.
The people sickened in this outbreak, who range in age from 16 to 92 years old, 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 dates they first began to experience symptoms range from May 11, 2020, to June 15, 2020.
Symptoms of a Cyclospora infection include explosive, sometimes watery diarrhea, 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 bouts, appearing to resolve and then resuming. If you ate this salad and developed these symptoms, contact a doctor. A stool sample test can determine if you have an infection.
Pritzker Hageman Cyclospora lawyers are an experienced team with a successful track record. We have represented clients in every other major Cyclospora outbreak in the U.S. If you got sick from contaminated salad, we want to help. For a free consultation, 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.