What is Cyclospora? Wraps, Salads Recalled From Trader Joe’s, Kroger, Walgreens

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert due to concerns over beef, pork and poultry salad and wrap products distributed by Caito Foods LLC being contaminated by a parasite known as Cyclospora cayetanensis.

Around 25 items produced by the Indianapolis-based company between July 15 and 18, with expiry dates ranging from July 18 through July 23, are now out of date. The products were shipped across the U.S. and sold at popular retail stores, including Kroger, Walgreens, and Trader Joe’s.

Caito was notified about it by its supplier, Fresh Express, which said the chopped romaine used to manufacture some of their salads and wraps were recalled.

“FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers' refrigerators and that consumers may be at risk due to the length of the Cyclospora incubation period. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. Caito Foods LLC and FSIS are working together to remove the products from commerce,” USDA said.

It also requested people concerned about an illness to contact a healthcare provider immediately.

Cyclosporiasis is an illness caused by ingesting contaminated water or food containing the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis and includes symptoms like diarrhea, cramping, nausea, appetite loss, and fatigue. These signs start about seven days after ingestion and are similar to symptoms of food poisoning.

Medical care should be sought if the signs last for more than a week or if weakness develops sooner. Medical caregivers require special laboratories where stool samples will be tested specifically for Cyclospora parasites. Treatment usually includes the use of antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and in some cases, use of anti-diarrheal medications could be recommended. Though the infection has few complications, relapsing illness, malabsorption, cholecystitis, and Reiter's syndrome have been reported, E Medicine Health reported.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a total of 286 cases have been reported as of July 26, in a Cyclospora outbreak linked to McDonald's salads that began in May.

"Illnesses that started after June 14, 2018, might not have been reported yet due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported. For cyclospora infections, this can take up to six weeks," the agency reported stressing that the number of cases might go up further.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it "is working with McDonald's to identify the common ingredients in the salads identified by those who became sick and to trace back those ingredients through the supply chain,” Ozarks First reported.

As a precautionary measure, McDonald's decided to remove its lettuce blend from approximately 3,000 locations in 15 states in the first week of July, however on July 20, it said the blend was replaced with lettuce from a different supplier.