Hy-Vee & ALDI Store Brand Bagged Garden Salads Linked to Outbreak
St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - State officials say 13 Minnesotans are among the people from six states who have become ill after eating bagged salad products contaminated by a microscopic parasite.
The Minnesota Department of Health says the outbreak of Cyclospora infections have been associated with ALDI and Hy-Vee store brand "garden salads" containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots. Anyone with the ALDI Little Salad Bar Brand Garden Salad or Hy-Vee Brand Garden Salad are being told to throw it away. Officials also note the advisory only applies to the store brand salads labeled as "garden salads" and not other types of store brand packaged salads sold at the stores.
The people who have become ill after eating the products in Minnesota reported the onset of their illness occurred between June 1st and June 9th. Two of the illnesses involved people living in the Twin Cities area, while the others were in Greater Minnesota. So far, no one in Minnesota has required hospitalization.
According to the health department, the Cyclospora parasite causes gastrointestinal sickness that typically includes diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and loss of appetite. Some of the symptoms can last several weeks or longer if not treated.
The infection is spread through the consumption of fresh produce and is not spread person to person. The health department also notes that washing the produce, or routine disinfection and sanitizing methods are not likely to kill the microorganisms.
Information on the national outbreak can be found on CDC’s and FDA’s websites: Outbreak of Cyclospora Infections Linked to Bagged Salad Purchased at ALDI, Hy-Vee, and Jewel-Osco Stores in Multiple States, 2020 and Outbreak Investigation of Cyclospora: Bagged Salads.