Garden Salads Cyclospora Lawyer Update: FDA Announces a Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Salad Products

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced their investigation on a multi-state cyclospora outbreak potentially linked to ALDI, Hy-Vee, and Jewel-Osco grocery store brand “garden salads” containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots. The multi-state outbreak was announced on June 19, 2020, with a total of 76 reported illnesses potentially linked to the salad products. According to the FDA, cases linked to the outbreak have been reported from six states so far, with more than half of the cases being reported from Iowa and Illinois. 

In their report of the outbreak, the FDA announced that it is currently working together with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local partners to investigate the source of the outbreak. As of the FDA investigation report, the only salad products linked to the outbreak seem to be the store brand salads labeled as “Garden Salads”. Currently, the states affected by the outbreak are IA (28), IL (23), KS (1), MN (10), MO (7), and, NE (7). The outbreak seems to have begun on mid- May 2020, since the first cases linked to salads were reported on May 11, 2020. So far the last case of the outbreak was reported on June 14, 2020, and the number of people requiring hospitalization has reached sixteen.

The CDC’s analysis of the epidemiologic information indicates that these bagged salads from ALDI, Hy-Vee, and Jewel-Osco grocery stores are likely the cause of the illnesses. The FDA has stated that they have begun a traceback investigation to determine supplier and distributor information to find the cause and source of the outbreak. According to the FDA, the investigation is still ongoing and more information will be provided to the public as it becomes available. 

 The FDA and CDC are advising all consumers to avoid eating all ALDI Little Salad Bar Brand Garden Salad sold in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Missouri, all Hy-Vee Brand Garden Salad sold in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska, and Jewel-Osco Signature Farms Brand Garden Salad sold in Illinois. Restaurants and retailers have been advised to refrain from selling and serving the salad products. Consumers who have purchased the salad products and are experiencing symptoms such as cramping, weight-loss, bloating, fatigue, nausea, and watery diarrhea should contact a medical health care provider as soon as possible and inform them of the potential cyclospora exposure. Ron Simon, a national cyclospora lawyer, stated “Most U.S. laboratories do not test for Cyclospora, even if the stool is analyzed for parasites, the CDC has noted that healthcare professionals need to specifically arrange testing for Cyclospora – a Cyclospora screen.”

For more information on the Cyclospora outbreak linked to Garden Salads, to speak to cyclospora lawyer, or to inquire about a cyclospora lawsuit, call 1-888-335-4901.

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-cyclospora-bagged-salads-june-2020

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2020/06/20/garden-salad-recall-cyclospora-outbreak-aldi-hyvee-jewel-osco/3229225001/

https://www.ketv.com/article/fda-warns-certain-garden-salad-bags-sold-across-midwest-may-be-tainted-by-cyclospora-parasite/32922328#