Cyclospora found in Ocean Mist Farms brand Romaine Hearts

By Bill Marler on March 31, 2022 in Cyclospora Recall

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is alerting consumers to avoid eating Ocean Mist Farms brand Romaine Hearts (Coeurs de laitue Romaine) with coding “22RHDM2L” and a harvest date of “MAR 10,” grown in Coachella, CA. The MDA Laboratory found Cyclospora in the product during routine surveillance sampling. Customers who purchased the product should discard the product and not eat it. No illnesses associated with this product have been reported at this time in Minnesota.

The Ocean Mist Farms brand Romaine Hearts lettuce (22 oz. package) was sourced from Ocean Mist Farms of Castroville, CA. The product was sold at the following grocery locations in Minnesota:

• Bob’s Produce Ranch – Fridley, MN
• Brink’s Market – Chisago City, MN
• Coborn’s Grocery – Hastings, MN
• Daggett’s Fresh Foods – Hinckley, MN
• Driskill’s Downtown Market – Hopkins, MN
• Festival Foods – Andover, MN
• Festival Foods – Bloomington, MN
• Festival Foods – Hugo, MN
• Festival Foods – Lexington, MN
• Festival Foods – White Bear Lake, MN
• Festival Foods – Brooklyn Park, MN
• Jerry’s Market – North Branch, MN
• Jubilee Foods – Mound, MN
• King’s County Market – Andover, MN
• King’s County Market – St. Francis, MN
• Knowlan’s Fresh Foods – Maplewood, MN
• Knowlan’s Fresh Foods – South St. Paul, MN
• Kowalski’s Market – Eagan, MN
• Kowalski’s Market – Excelsior, MN
• Kowalski’s Market – Eden Prairie, MN
• Kowalski’s Market on Grand – St. Paul, MN
• Kowalski’s Market on Chicago – Minneapolis, MN
• Kowalski’s Market on Lyndale – Minneapolis, MN
• Kowalski’s Market – Oak Park Heights, MN
• Kowalski’s Market – Shoreview, MN
• Kowalski’s Market – White Bear Lake, MN
• Kowalski’s Market – Woodbury, MN
• Longfellow Market – Minneapolis, MN
• Mackenthun’s Foods – Waconia
• North Market – Minneapolis, MN
• Oxendale’s Market Randolph – St. Paul, MN
• Speedy Market – St. Paul, MN
• Super One Plaza – Duluth, MN
• Super One West – Duluth, MN
• Super One – Two Harbors, MN

Symptoms of illness caused by Cyclospora typically include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, loss of appetite, and weight loss. People typically become ill about a week after eating contaminated food, but this period can range from 2-14 days. Diarrhea can last several weeks or longer if not treated. Contact your health care provider if you have become ill.

Blueberries recalled due to Cyclospora

By Bill Marler on January 30, 2022 in Cyclospora Recall

In June 2021 a limited number of cases of Dole Fresh blueberries were recalled last week due to a possible parasite contamination, but so far no illnesses have been reported in connection with the products.

On Friday, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Dole Diversified North America, Inc. had voluntarily recalled a limited number of its blueberry products in a variety of sizes.

The agency said that Dole was “coordinating closely with regulatory officials,” as part of the effort and confirmed that “no illnesses have been reported to date in association with the recall.”

Basil recalled over Cyclospora risk

By Bill Marler on February 08, 2021 in Cyclospora Recall

Shenandoah Growers, Inc (Harrisonburg, VA) out of an abundance of caution, has issued a limited, voluntary recall of approximately 3240 units of branded fresh cut, packaged organic basil clamshells packed at its Indianapolis, Indiana location due to a possible health risk from Cyclospora.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the Cyclospora parasite. A person may become infected after ingesting contaminated food or water. Common symptoms include severe abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, body aches and fatigue. The infection is treated with antibiotics and most people respond quickly to treatment.

Only the following specific lot codes are affected:

PV40515 1034     PV40515 3034     PV40515 4034     PV40515 3035

The affected product has a country of origin of Colombia and was harvested entirely from Puerto Vallarta Herbs SAS (Farm) and imported by Vallarta Organics LLC dba Organic Destiny (Importer).

Affected lot codes shipped:

Recalled products were distributed to select retail stores between 2/3/2021 to 2/4/2021 in the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

This recall notification is being issued due to a single instance in which a sample of bulk product was pulled at the port of entry in Miami and tested by the FDA as part of routine surveillance and indicated the potential presence of Cyclospora.

Affected Shenandoah Growers customers have been notified of the recall and instructed to immediately remove and discard recalled products from all store shelves, distribution and other inventories to ensure they are no longer available for sale or consumption.

The Shenandoah Growers recall includes only those clamshells of certified organic basil clearly marked with the affected lot codes listed above. The lot code can be found printed on each clamshell.

No other Shenandoah Growers products are subject to recall, and the company has no knowledge of any illness reported or related to this product to date.

Consumers who may have a recalled basil product should discard it immediately and not eat it.

Basil recalled over Cyclospora risk

By Bill Marler on November 24, 2020 in Cyclospora Recall

Southeastern Grocers announced Friday that they are voluntarily recalling SE Grocers Naturally Better Organic Fresh Cut Basil.

The recall is due to Cyclospora. Cyclospora infections, known as cyclosporiasis, can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting, among other symptoms.

SE Grocers says if customers still have this product, regardless of the expiration date, they should throw it out or return it to the store purchased for a full refund.

BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarkets and Winn-Dixie are all SEG stores.

Customers with questions about the recalled products may contact the Southeastern Grocers Customer Call Center at (844) 745-0463, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The UPC code for SE Grocers Naturally Better Organic Fresh Cut Basil is as follow:

• SE Grocers Naturally Better Organic Fresh Cut Basil – 0.5 oz container: 6-07880-20230-4

Fresh Express Cyclospora Recall

By Bill Marler on July 01, 2020 in Cyclospora Recall

Settlements reached in Cyclospora cases

By Bill Marler on November 08, 2019 in Cyclospora Recall

CDC, public health and regulatory officials in multiple states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigated a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis infections.

As of September 11, 2018, CDC was notified of 511 laboratory-confirmed cases of Cyclospora infections in people from 15 states and New York City who reported consuming a variety of salads from McDonald’s restaurants in the Midwest.

Twenty-four (24) people were hospitalized. No deaths were reported.

Epidemiologic and traceback evidence indicated that salads purchased from McDonald’s restaurants were one likely source of this outbreak.

On July 13, 2018, McDonald’s voluntarily stopped selling salads at over 3,000 locations in 14 states. The company has since reported that it has replaced the supplier of salad mix in those states.

On July 26, 2018, the FDA completed final analysis of an unused package of romaine lettuce and carrot mix distributed to McDonald’s by the Fresh Express processor in Streamwood, IL. The analysis confirmed the presence of Cyclospora in that sample.

The FDA investigation reviewed distribution and supplier information for romaine and carrots but did not identify a single source or point of contamination for this outbreak.