Trader Joe’s Just Recalled a Multipurpose Product in 29 States

On April 17, 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an alert stating that it had identified the source of 12 cases of salmonella infection it had been tracking across several states. The source was pinpointed as a popular herb sold at Trader Joe’s locations in 29 states and Washington D.C.

The FDA informed consumers about a traceback initiated in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on April 10. The illnesses in New Jersey, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Georgia, Florida, and Rhode Island were determined to be caused by a similar strain of salmonella. After interviewing the patients, the FDA found that seven out of eight patients had consumed the same brand of basil, all purchased at Trader Joe’s locations. Trader Joe’s has issued an immediate voluntary recall in response to the investigation of Infinite Herb Organic Basil across all of its stores. 

The basil was sold between February 1, 2024, and April 6, 2024, in 2.5-ounce clear plastic clamshell packaging with UPC 8 18042 02147 7. The product was sold at 29 Trader Joe’s locations, including those 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, and Virginia.

Trader Joe’s has already removed all packages of the Infinite Organic brand organic basil from its shelves. Although the potentially affected product is past its shelf life, the FDA is concerned that some consumers might have frozen the basil for later use. It is also possible that people could have cooked with the basil and then frozen those meals. While cooking a product will kill salmonella, it needs to be reheated to 165 degrees to be safe, according to the CDC.  

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To date, 12 people have reported symptoms, with one requiring hospitalization. The last illness was reported on April 2, 2024. No deaths have been reported in connection with this strain of salmonella. The FDA notes that the investigation is ongoing with the potential for other products to become implicated in the illnesses.

If you purchased Infinite Organic basil during the recall timeframe, you can return it to any Trader Joe’s for a full refund. Anyone with questions can contact Trader Joe’s Customer Relations at (626) 599-3817 or email the company via its online form. Anyone who experiences symptoms should contact a healthcare provider and report their symptoms to the FDA.

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Signs of salmonella infection

Salmonella is a bacteria that lives inside the intestinal tracts of animals and spreads through feces. The bacteria typically gets on plants through direct contact with animal feces or via contaminated water. 

Symptoms generally do not require hospitalization and can include headache, diarrhea, blood in your stool, stomach cramps and fever, according to the CDC. Symptoms can begin as early as a few hours and up to six hours after exposure and can last as long as a week, making it difficult to identify the source. Symptoms are typically mild but can sometimes be serious. 

Be sure to contact a healthcare provider for a fever over 102 degrees or any signs of dehydration. A salmonella infection can become serious quickly, requiring hospitalization. Contact a healthcare provider if symptoms worsen or do not improve.

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