At Least 21 People Are Sick After Eating This Trader Joe’s Item, CDC Says — Eat This Not That

By Ghuman

Introduction

If you’re a fan of Trader Joe’s, you may want to take note of this recent news. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 21 people have become ill after eating a certain item from the popular grocery store chain. In this article, we’ll discuss the item in question, the symptoms associated with it, and what you should do if you’ve eaten it. We’ll also provide some tips on how to make sure you’re eating safe and healthy food from Trader Joe’s.

At Least 21 People Are Sick After Eating This Trader Joe’s Item, CDC Says

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning consumers to avoid eating a certain Trader Joe’s product after at least 21 people have become ill from it. The product in question is Trader Joe’s Field Fresh Chopped Salad with Grilled Chicken Breast, which is sold in 10-ounce packages.

The CDC is advising consumers to throw away any of the product they may have purchased, as it may be contaminated with Cyclospora, a parasite that can cause an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis. Symptoms of the illness include diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, bloating, increased gas, nausea, fatigue, and vomiting.

The CDC is currently investigating the outbreak and has not yet identified the source of the contamination. However, the agency is urging consumers to take precautions and avoid eating the product.

What You Should Do

If you have purchased the Trader Joe’s Field Fresh Chopped Salad with Grilled Chicken Breast, the CDC recommends that you throw it away, even if some of it has been eaten and no one has gotten sick. Additionally, the CDC recommends that you clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that may have come into contact with the product.

If you have eaten the product and are experiencing any of the symptoms of cyclosporiasis, the CDC recommends that you seek medical attention. Additionally, the CDC recommends that you contact your local health department to report your illness.

What Trader Joe’s Is Doing

Trader Joe’s has removed the product from its shelves and is working with the CDC to investigate the outbreak. The company has also issued a statement saying that it is “committed to the safety and satisfaction of our customers.”

If you have any questions or concerns about the outbreak, you can contact Trader Joe’s customer service at 1-800-824-3322.

Twenty-one people have been confirmed sick from Salmonella after eating Citterio brand salami sticks, according to a food safety warning from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The salami sticks are commonly sold in Trader Joe’s and Wegmans grocery stores but they may be in other retailers as well.

Related: Onions From These Popular Brands Are Being Recalled After 200 People Were Hospitalized

So far, the illnesses span across eight states: California, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and Kansas. Six people have been hospitalized since the outbreak began in September. However, the CDC warned that the true number of people impacted is likely higher because many people recover from Salmonella without medical intervention and never get tested.

The CDC connected the outbreak to Citterio brand salami sticks after interviewing people confirmed sick with Salmonella. Of the 15 people interviewed, all but one reported having consumed or possibly consumed the salami.

Trader Joe's salami
Courtesy of the CDC

The Salmonella outbreak impacting Citterio salami is believed to be unrelated to the Salmonella outbreak related to onions, which has sickened more than 650 people across 37 states.

Common symptoms of Salmonella are a fever, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. The CDC recommends that people call their healthcare provider if they think they are experiencing severe Salmonella symptoms.

The CDC warns grocers like Trader Joe’s not to sell the salami snacks as a result of the outbreak. Additionally, consumers are encouraged to throw away all Citterio salami sticks regardless of the sell-by date and to wash items and containers that came in contact with the product.

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