The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections linked to Infinite Herbs-brand organic basil. Trader Joe's has voluntarily removed all Infinite Herbs-brand organic basil packed in 2.5-oz clamshell packaging from their store shelves, and this product should no longer be available for sale to customers at their stores.
It concerns Infinite Herbs-brand organic basil packed in 2.5-oz clamshell packaging and sold at Trader Joe's stores in AL, CT, D.C., DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, and WI.
Stores affected
Trader Joe's stores in D.C. and the following states: AL, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, and WI.
Infinite Herbs, LLC is cooperating with the FDA investigation and has agreed to initiate a voluntary recall. This advisory will be updated as more information becomes available.
Recommendation
Consumers who purchased organic basil from Trader Joe's stores in the states listed above should check their refrigerators and freezers and should not eat 2.5-oz packages of Infinite Herbs-brand organic basil.
This product should no longer be for sale at Trader Joe's and is likely past shelf-life. If you already bought organic basil from Trader Joe's and removed it from the packaging or froze it and cannot tell if it was Infinite Herbs-brand, do not eat or use it and throw it away.
Follow the FDA's safe handling and cleaning advice and use extra care in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with this product to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
The investigation is ongoing to determine the source of contamination and whether additional products are linked to illnesses. FDA will update this advisory should additional consumer safety information become available.
Source: fda.gov