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More Cases of Cyclospora Reported from Bagged Salads, Pathogen Found in Irrigation Canal

August 18, 2020 from the Food Safety News:

"The FDA and CDC have been investigating a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora involving bagged salads from Fresh Express since June. Although the products were recalled and should no longer be available in retail locations, the CDC continues to report more cases. As of August 12, 2020, the CDC counted 690 people with laboratory-confirmed Cyclospora infections throughout 13 states. Thirty-seven people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported."

"As the FDA conducted its traceback investigation to find the source of the outbreak linked to the Fresh Express products, the agency was able to identify several farms. It analyzed water samples from two public access points along a regional water management canal (C-23) west of Port St. Lucie, Florida. Using the FDA’s validated testing method, the samples tested positive for Cyclospora cayetanensis. However, it is important to note that the Cyclospora found might not be a direct match to the pathogen found in the clinical cases."

"The agency’s traceback investigation is complete, but the cause or source of the outbreak has not been determined. The investigation also revealed that carrots are no longer of interest at as part of the outbreak, but red cabbage and iceberg lettuce are still being investigated. FDA is also working with Florida and the area’s local water district to learn more about the source of Cyclospora in the canal."

Fresh Express Issues a Precautionary Recall of Products Containing Iceberg, Red Cabbage and Carrots Produced at Its Streamwood, IL Facility Due to a Potential Cyclospora Risk

June 25, 2020 from the FDA:

Fresh Express, out of an abundance of caution, has issued a voluntary recall of branded and private label salad products produced at its Streamwood, IL facility that contain iceberg lettuce, red cabbage and/or carrot ingredients due to a possible health risk from Cyclospora. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 200 illnesses have been reported in connection with a current outbreak of Cyclospora occurring in primarily Midwest states.

The Fresh Express recall includes only those salads that are clearly marked with the letter Z at the beginning of the Product Code, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of the front of the package. Products containing the ingredients iceberg lettuce, red cabbage and/or carrots AND displaying the Product Code Z178, or a lower number, are recalled.

Recalled products were distributed to select retail stores between June 6 and June 26 in various states including, for example, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

Consumers who may have a recalled salad should discard it immediately and not eat it. Consumers with questions, or to obtain refunds, may contact the Fresh Express Consumer Response Center toll-free at (800) 242-5472 on Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time.

Fresh Express Precautionary Recall 06/27/2020 Streamwood IL Facility-Produced Salads Containing Iceberg Lettuce, Red Cabbage or Carrots AND Product Code of Z178 or a Lower Number (No other Fresh Express salads are included in this recall)

List of all of the recalled products is https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fresh-express-issues-precautionary-recall-products-containing-iceberg-red-cabbage-and-carrots" target='fda'>here. `

Outbreak Investigation of Cyclospora: Bagged Salads (June 2020)
Fresh Express recalls products made in its Streamwood, Illinois production facility with either iceberg lettuce, red cabbage or carrots

June 25, 2020 from the FDA:

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners continue to investigate a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections potentially linked to salad products that were made by Fresh Express containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots and that were sold in several regions of the United States. The investigation includes Fresh Express branded products as well as products made by Fresh Express for retail store brands sold at ALDI, Giant Eagle, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco, ShopRite, and Walmart. Investigators continue to look into whether other retail brands may be impacted.

On June 27, 2020, Fresh Express recalled products containing either iceberg lettuce, red cabbage or carrots and displaying the product code Z178, or a lower number. The “Best by” date on the products run through July 14, 2020. The product code is located in the upper right-hand corner of the front of each package. Consumers should not eat, and restaurants and retailers should not sell or serve any of the recalled products. These products may either be branded with the Fresh Express label, or they may be branded with a number of retail store brand labels. The recalled retail store brands are ALDI Little Salad Bar, Giant Eagle, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco Signature Farms, ShopRite Wholesome Pantry, and Walmart Marketside.

The recalled products displaying the product code Z178 or lower were sold in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

The recalled products were made in the Fresh Express production facility in Streamwood, Illinois and have the potential to be contaminated with Cyclospora. The recent Fresh Express recall also includes previously recalled store brands.

Product Recall: See the Fresh Express June 27, 2020, press release for complete details on the recalled products.

Company	Size	Best If Used By	UPC Code	Retailers*	Distribution*
Walmart	12-ounce and 24-ounce	5/19/20–7/4/20	6 81131 32894 4 6 81131 32895 1	Walmart	IA, MN, MI, NE, ND, SD, WI
Hy-Vee	12-ounce			Hy-Vee	IA, IL, MO, KS, NE, SD, MN, WI
Jewel-Osco	12-ounce	5/16/20 – 7/4/20	21130 98135	Jewel-Osco	IL, IN, IA
ALDI	12-ounce	5/1/20-6/29/20	4099100082975	ALDI	AR, IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, MO, ND, SD, WI

June 30, 2020 from the COR Detroit: Little Salad Bar and Marketside salads that bear an OK Kosher symbol (as in the local Detroit area) are not produced by Fresh Express, and are not included in this recall.]