A South Florida herb company supplied contaminated basil to Trader Joe’s that is now linked to a Salmonella outbreak, health officials said.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health advisory Wednesday telling people to throw away Trader Joe’s organic basil supplied by the company Infinite Herbs. Currently, 12 people have reported infections since February, three in Florida and nine in other states, though the actual number of sick people is likely much higher. One person has been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported.
Ten of 12 people interviewed by the CDC said they shopped at Trader Joe’s prior to getting sick, and seven reported buying organic basil sold in the 2.5 oz clamshell-style containers, the CDC said. Officials traced the basil to a Miami-based supplier, Infinite Herbs, LLC. The shop is based in Doral, according to its website.
The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses, health officials wrote in the investigation details posted Wednesday. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
Anyone who owns the basil should throw it out and clean any surfaces it may have touched, including refrigerator shelves and cutting boards.
Outside of Florida, the basil is sold at Trader Joe’s locations in 28 states and Washington, D.C. On April 12, Trader Joe’s stopped receiving shipments and the product is no longer in stores.
Investigators are working to determine if additional products may be contaminated, the CDC said.
