Cyclospora parasite confirmed in McDonald's salads

The FDA has confirmed that it found the Cyclospora parasite in the Fresh Express salad mix used at McDonald's restaurants in multiple states. And earlier this week, there was a possible foodborne illness outbreak in a McDonald's restaurant in Transylvania County, NC.

Posted 6:44 p.m. Aug 2, 2018 — Updated 11:07 p.m. Aug 2, 2018

The FDA has confirmed that it found Cyclospora parasites in the Fresh Express salad mix used at McDonald's restaurants in multiple Midwest states.

The salad mix has infected over 280 people in 15 states and at least 11 people have been hospitalized. The salad mix which they believe caused the outbreak expired on July 19, but symptoms can take 2 days to 2 weeks to develop so those numbers may increase in the coming weeks.

On July 31, 2018, the FDA issued an update to the outbreak indicating that "on July 26, 2018, the FDA completed final analysis of an unused package of Fresh Express salad mix containing romaine lettuce and carrots, which had been distributed to McDonald’s. The analysis confirmed the presence of Cyclospora in that sample, though the expiration date for that product, July 19, had already passed. On July 27, the FDA informed Fresh Express of the results, and instructed Fresh Express to determine whether potentially contaminated product may still be on the market. Fresh Express reported to FDA that the romaine from the same lot as the positive sample was not packaged for direct retail sale by Fresh Express and had already expired. Fresh Express committed to using recall procedures to inform companies that received additional products of concern about the sample result. Fresh Express also reported that the carrots in the sampled salad mix only went to McDonald’s."

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At this time, Fresh Express has not released a list to the public with the names of companies that have bought its salad mix. They have informed the FDA that the romaine from the lot that tested positive was not packaged for retail sales and that it has already expired. The salad mix was processed by Fresh Express in a plant in Streamwood, IL.

Earlier this week, there was a possible foodborne illness outbreak in a McDonald’s restaurant in Transylvania County, NC.

According to an article on foodsafetynews.com, "It was unknown Wednesday night whether a foodborne illness outbreak this week among customers of a McDonald’s restaurant in Transylvania County, NC, is related to the Fresh Express salad. Local public health officials told The Transylvania Times newspaper that there were “lots” of reports Monday and Tuesday. Additional reports were coming in Wednesday. The Times reported many people were reporting they had eaten at a McDonald’s restaurant in Brevard."

A statement from Teresa Edwards, McDonald’s Owner-Operator in Brevard, N.C. indicates: "Due to reports of an illness outbreak in our community, and out of an abundance of caution, we voluntarily closed this restaurant. We expect to reopen on Friday. McDonald's is deeply committed to the health and well-being of our employees and customers. We are taking proactive measures and supporting the health department as they look into this issue."

Terri Hickey with McDonald’s Global Communications responded that the "store’s decision to close is not related at all to the cyclospora cases in the other states"

The official McDonald's response to the cyclospora outbreak can be found at news.mcdonalds.com.

The FDA recommends that "consumers who have symptoms of cyclosporiasis should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care. Most people infected with Cyclospora develop diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements. Other common symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps/pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Vomiting, body aches, headache, fever, and other flu-like symptoms may be noted. Some people who are infected with Cyclospora do not have any symptoms. If not treated, the illness may last from a few days to a month or longer. Symptoms may seem to go away and then return one or more times (relapse)."

For more details regarding the entire timeline and recent outbreak update from the FDA, see FDA.gov.

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