Recall: Several Trader Joe's products due to possible parasite
Trader Joe's issued a press release Monday alerting customers of three products that could possibly be contaminated with the parasite cyclospora.
The affected products are chicken wraps and chicken salads sold only in Iowa, Illinois, Indianapolis, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin. Products sold at stores in North Carolina are not affected.
The affected products include the Trader Joe’s Tarragon Chicken Salad Wrap, the Trader Giotto’s Caesar Salad with Chicken and Trader Ming’s Chinese Inspired Salad with Chicken that contain best by dates between July 21 and July 23. Officials say the products were also sold at Kroger and Walgreens stores.
According to Trader Joe's, the company was alerted by a supplier that romaine lettuce found in the meals has the potential to be contaminated with cyclospora.
According to CNN, the cyclospora parasite causes intestinal illness as a result of consuming contaminated food or water. Symptoms can begin a week or more after consuming the parasite. They can include diarrhea and frequent, sometimes explosive bowel movements. Those who are infected might also experience loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps or pain, nausea, gas and fatigue. Vomiting, headache, fever, body aches and flu-like symptoms can also occur.
Anyone with the affected products should them away or return them for a full refund.
News of the recall comes after a cyclospora infection outbreak that began in May and was linked to McDonald's salads supplied by Fresh Express.
The total number of laboratory-confirmed illnesses from that outbreak was at 286 as of July 26, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least 11 of the sick individuals have been hospitalized.
