Trader Joe’s recalls organic basil sold in 29 states

Trader Joe’s has recalled some of its organic basil due to an outbreak of salmonella, the company announced this week.

The grocery chain’s Infinite Herbs brand of organic basil was sold in 2.5-ounce clamshell packages in stores nationwide from February 1 to April 6. 29 states and Washington DC

Trader Joe’s said in a statement Wednesday that it has since been removed from shelves.

For customers who purchased organic basil during this period, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) encourages them to throw away the herb and wash any items or surfaces they may have touched with warm, soapy water.

Twelve people in seven states have been infected with Salmonella. According to the FDA.

“Seven of the eight cases for which we have available information were associated with organic basil purchased from Trader Joe’s prior to becoming ill,” the agency announced on its website Wednesday.

“Tracking data collected by the FDA has identified Infinite Herbs, LLC, of ​​Miami, Florida, as the supplier of the 2.5-ounce organic basil packages sold in Trader Joe’s stores.”

According to reports, one person was hospitalized after ingesting fresh basil. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“It is heartbreaking to think that the products we sold may have caused illness or discomfort,” Infinite Herbs CEO Gregorio Berliavsky said in a statement. .

“We will not rest until we are once again confident that this product is safe.”

Salmonellosis is the leading cause of hospitalization and death from foodborne illness. According to the CDC, there are approximately 1.35 million cases of salmonellosis each year, resulting in 26,500 hospitalizations and 420 deaths.

Signs of a possible Salmonella infection include a fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher with diarrhea, diarrhea that lasts more than 3 days, bloody diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.