Just when you thought it was safe to go back to salad, federal food safety inspectors are warning of another potential cyclospora contamination, this time affecting salads and wraps sold by Trader Joe's, Walgreens and Kroger.
The new recall, which the Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service issued this week, does not affect the Kroger-owned Mariano's grocery chain, company spokesman Jim Hyland said Wednesday.
The products, which were distributed by Caito Foods of Indianapolis, all have "sell by" dates ranging from July 18 to July 23.
The warning was issued out of an "abundance of caution," federal inspectors said in a news release, urging consumers not to consume the affected products, which should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
Caito Foods received notification from its lettuce supplier, Fresh Express, that the chopped romaine used to make some of their salads and wraps was being recalled. Products include roast beef wraps, chicken Caesar wraps, chef salads and other packaged offerings. Pre-cut melon from Caito was linked to a salmonella outbreak this past spring.
In a recorded message, Salinas, Calif.-based Fresh Express said the recall does not affect its retail salad products.
"Fresh Express recalled, as a precaution only, a limited of already-expired food service products," the company said. "No Fresh Express products offered for sale at retail grocery stores are recalled."
The incubation period for the cyclospora parasite is about a week, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea and fatigue.
The summer has been rife with recalls and reported cyclospora infections.
Last month, Chicago-based McDonald's temporarily stopped selling salads at 3,000 restaurants in 14 states, mostly in the Midwest, after a cyclospora outbreak sickened dozens of customers.
A large outbreak of cyclospora infections were also linked to an Independence Day celebration July 3 at the Evanston Golf Club in Skokie.
Del Monte Fresh Produce in June issued a voluntary recall of vegetable trays sold in six Midwest states including Illinois, due to potential cyclospora contamination.
