CDC Warns of Salmonella Risk in Trader Joe's Basil

A CDC food safety alert regarding an outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to potentially contaminated basil has been posted: https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/basil-04-24/index.html

Key Points:

• CDC has received reports of 12 Salmonella infections in seven states. One person has been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.
• The illnesses have been linked to Infinite Herbs organic basil.
• The basil was sold at Trader Joe's in 29 states and Washington, D.C., in 2.5 oz clamshell-style containers.
• Trader Joe's ceased shipments of Infinite Herbs organic basil on April 12, 2024, and no product remains in stores.
• Investigators are working to identify other potentially contaminated products.

What You Should Do:

• Throw away any Infinite Herbs organic basil purchased from Trader Joe's.
• Clean surfaces and items that may have touched contaminated basil, including refrigerator shelves and cutting boards.

What Businesses Should Do:

• Do not sell or use Infinite Herbs organic basil purchased from Trader Joe's.
• Wash and sanitize surfaces that may have touched contaminated basil.

Salmonella Symptoms:

• Most people infected with Salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
  • Symptoms usually start 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria.
  • Most people recover without treatment after 4 to 7 days.
• Some people—especially children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems—may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization.
• For more information about Salmonella, see the Salmonella Questions and Answers page.

If you have questions about cases in a particular state, please call that state's health department.

Thank you,

CDC News Media Branch

404-639-3286