Trader Joe’s recall: Salmonella outbreak linked to organic basil has sickened people in 7 states

Organic basil sold at Trader Joe’s is being recalled due to fears that it may be the origin of Salmonella infections that have so far sickened 12 people in seven states, according to an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).



The infections, the FDA says, are linked to one particular product: Infinite Herbs-brand organic basil packed in 2.5-oz clamshell packaging, which was sold at Trader Joe’s locations. You can view images of the packaging here .



The contaminated basil was sold in 29 states and the District of Columbia. Those states are Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, and Wisconsin.



In total, there have now been 12 illnesses reported across seven states: Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin. One of those illnesses resulted in hospitalization. So far no deaths have been reported.



The FDA says that the contaminated basil is likely already past its shelf life, but consumers should check their refrigerators and freezers to make sure they still do not have it. The FDA instructs that if you have Trader Joe’s-bought organic basil in your possession and have already removed it from its packaging and thus cannot tell what brand it is, you should not consume it and instead throw it away.



Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause illness in most people. The infected usually recover without treatment. However, Salmonella infections can be life-threatening in some, including at-risk groups or if the infection advances unchecked.



You can read the FDA’s full outbreak investigation notice here .