New Multi-State Bagged Salad Outbreak Centered in Midwest
June 24, 2020 CDC and state health departments do not yet know the definitive source of the Midwest Cyclospora cayetanensis outbreak linked to bagged lettuce. CDC says there’s likely a link to bagged salads from ALDI, Hy-Vee, and Jewel-Osco, but some cases do not involve the stores.
The crops included in all three of the stores’ salad mixes are iceberg, red cabbage, and carrots
Overview of the Outbreak
Here are the details of what’s known about the outbreak so far:
- 122 confirmed infections
- Seven states involved: Iowa (54 cases), Illinois (30), Minnesota (13), Wisconsin (9), Nebraska (8), Missouri (7), and Kansas (1)
- 19 hospitalized (16%). CDC is warning residents in three more states, Arkansas, Indiana, and South Dakota to dispose of the bagged salads from the three implicated stores.
- Bagged salad brand names include: ALDI Little Salad Bar Brand Garden Salad (IA, IL, MO, MN); Hy-Vee Brand Garden Salad (IA, IL, KS, MO MN, NE); and Jewel-Osco Signature Farms Garden Salad (IL)
The earliest known infection dates to May 11, with the most recent on June 15.
There are typically multiple clusters of Cyclospora infections that occur during a given season.
“It is unknown at this time if other reported cases of C. cayetanensis infection in the United States this season are linked to contaminated ingredients in these bagged salad mixes. This investigation is ongoing,” the CDC page on the outbreak reports.
Farm Worker Hygiene Key to Prevention
The human parasite C. cayetanensis is a fairly new to domestic produce.The first confirmed infection occurred in July 2019 in two cilantro samples. Most U.S. infections have stemmed from imported crops.
Food safety rules can prevent infection. Infected workers can contaminate crops if they handle them. An FDA sheet identifies steps growers can take to ensure their crops remain free of the pathogen:
- Ensure workers thoroughly wash their hands and dry their hands on clean paper towels.
- Keep restrooms maintained and clean.
- Do not allow ill workers to handle produce.
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