WASHINGTON — Trader Joe's announced it is recalling organic basil sold in its stores across 29 states after it was linked to a salmonella outbreak.
Federal health officials said the Infinite Herbs-brand organic basil, which was packed in 2.5-oz clamshell packaging and sold at Trader Joe’s stores, has been connected to at least 12 salmonella cases in seven different states.
One person was hospitalized as part of the outbreak, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In response to the investigation, Trader Joe's voluntarily recalled the Infinite Herbs-brand organic basil sold between Feb. 1, 2024 and April 6, 2024. The recalled basil was sold in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin and Washington, D.C.
The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration said the investigation into the outbreak is ongoing.
The recalled product should no longer be available for sale and is likely past its shelf-life at this point. However, the FDA warned that if you froze organic basil from Trader Joe's and can't tell if it was Infinite Herbs-brand, do not eat or use it and throw it away.
States with cases from this salmonella outbreak include Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Wisconsin. The CDC noted that the true number of cases is likely much higher, because many recover without medical care and aren't tested for salmonella.
Customers with questions about the recall may contact Trader Joe's Customer Relations at (626) 599-3817 or send the company an email.
