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Monday, April 22, 2024

Imported Fresh Basil Linked to Salmonella Outbreak, Importer Recalling Product

An outbreak of Salmonella has been linked to fresh organic basil sole through Trader Joe's and Fruit Center Marketplace.  There have been 12 cases so far reported with one hospitalization occurring in 7 states, although the product had been shipped to close to 30 states.  The product was imported by Infinite Herbs LLC of Miami, Florida, from Columbia, and the company is now recalling the 2.5-ounce packages of Infinite Herbs fresh organic basil sold between February 1 and April 6, 2024, and bearing the UPC 8 18042 02147 7.

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-organic-basil-april-2024
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Organic Basil (April 2024)
Do not eat recalled organic basil sold at certain retail stores in 29 states and D.C. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
Current Update
April 19, 2024
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella linked to recalled organic basil.
In response to this investigation, on April 18, 2024, Infinite Herbs, LLC, of Miami, FL voluntarily recalled 2.5-oz packages of Infinite Herbs-brand fresh organic basil sold at select Trader Joe’s stores and Fruit Center Marketplace stores in Massachusetts from February 1 through April 6, 2024.

On April 19, 2024, Infinite Herbs, LLC, expanded the recall to include Melissa’s-brand organic basil sold in 2.0 and 4.0-oz packages at Dierberg’s stores in Illinois and Missouri between February 10 through February 20, 2024.

Both brands of recalled basil are no longer available for sale and any previously purchased basil should be past shelf life. If you previously purchased recalled basil and then froze it, you should throw it away if it’s part of the recall or if you cannot tell if it’s part of the recall.

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 12
Hospitalizations: 1
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: April 2, 2024
States with Cases: FL, GA, MN, MO, NJ, RI, WI
Product Distribution*: AL, CT, D.C., DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI
*Distribution has been confirmed for locations listed, but product could have been distributed further.

Product
Two brands of organic basil have been recalled:
  • Infinite Herbs-brand organic basil packed in 2.5-oz clamshell packaging (UPC 8 18042 02147 7) and sold at Trader Joe’s and Fruit Center Marketplace stores from February 1 through April 6, 2024.
  • Melissa's brand fresh organic basil in 2.0-oz (UPC 0 45255 14142 9) and 4.0-oz clamshell packages (UPC 0 45255 14439 0) available for sale at Dierberg's stores in Illinois and Missouri from February 10 through February 20, 2024.
Both recalled brands of basil are labeled as a product of Colombia on the back of the package. Recalled basil is past expiration and should no longer be available for sale.

Stores Affected
Infinite Herbs-brand was sold at:
Trader Joe’s stores in D.C. and AL, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, and WI
Fruit Center Marketplace stores in MA
Melissa’s-brand was sold at:
Dierberg’s stores in IL and MO

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/infinite-herbs-llc-expands-recall-fresh-organic-basil-include-melissas-brand-organic-basil-received
Infinite Herbs, LLC Expands Recall of Fresh Organic Basil to Include Melissa’s Brand Organic Basil Received by Illinois and Missouri Retailer
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 19, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  April 19, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
Company Name:  Infinite Herbs LLC
Brand Name:  Melissa’s
Product Description:  Fresh organic basil

Company Announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 19, 2024—Infinite Herbs LLC of Miami, Florida, is expanding its April 18th recall to include Melissa's brand fresh organic basil in 2.0 oz ( 96 packages, UPC 0 45255 14142 9) and 4.0 oz packages (24 packages, UPC 0 45255 14439 0) available for sale at Dierberg's stores in Illinois and Missouri between February 10th and 20th (see photos below). This product is part of the lot that was previously recalled and, therefore, has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Please note that this recalled product is outdated and no longer available for sale. Still, consumers are urged to check their refrigerators and freezers and not consume the recalled organic basil if they have it. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 305-599-9255 x 148 or email customer_service@infiniteherbs.com, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT.

The company is conducting this recall with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's (FDA's) knowledge.

Original Press Release below

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/infinite-herbs-llc-voluntarily-recalls-25-ounce-fresh-organic-basil-sold-february-1-through-april-6
Infinite Herbs, LLC Voluntarily Recalls 2.5-Ounce Fresh Organic Basil Sold From February 1 Through April 6 Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 18, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  April 19, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella  
Company Name:   Infinite Herbs LLC
Brand Name:  Infinite Herbs
Product Description:  Fresh organic basil

Company Announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 18, 2024—Infinite Herbs LLC of Miami, Florida, is voluntarily recalling 2.5-ounce packages of Infinite Herbs fresh organic basil sold between February 1 and April 6, 2024, and bearing the UPC 8 18042 02147 7 (see photos below) because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis.

Based on its food questionnaires and epidemiological data to date, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that 12 illnesses are likely related to this recall. Infinite Herbs initiated the voluntary recall after the FDA notified it of the CDC's information.

The recalled product was shipped directly to Trade Joe’s retail distribution centers in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Virginia and to two Fruit Center Marketplace stores in Massachusetts.

No other products distributed by Infinite Herbs are affected by this recall—non-organic basil in any package and other package sizes of organic basil are not included in this recall. The company is conducting this recall with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's (FDA's) knowledge.

The recalled product is out of date and no longer available for sale, but consumers are urged to check their refrigerators and freezers and not consume the recalled organic basil if they have it. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 305-599-9255 x 148 or via email to customer_service@infiniteherbs.com, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT.

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