USDA Issues Warning About Parasite in Salad, Wraps Sold at Walgreens

The USDA has issued a warning about salads and wraps sold at Walgreens stores and other retailers over concerns about parasite contamination.

The salads and wraps were distributed to several retailers, including Walgreens and Trader Joe's, by Caito Foods. Their lettuce supplier - Fresh Express - has issued a recall of the chopped romaine lettuce used to make the salads and wraps due to cyclospora infestation. 

Cyclospora infection is an illness cause by the intestinal parasite, Cyclospora cayetanensis. The incubation period for Cyclospora ranges from two to 14 days, which would include the dates of July 25 through August 6, 2018. Illnesses 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 could take up to six weeks.

Due to the length of the Cyclospora incubation period, if you have any of these products in your refrigerator, you need to throw them away. 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. 

The USDA advises that anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.

The beef, pork and poultry salad and wrap items were produced between July 15 to 18, 2018, with the either “Best By,” “Enjoy by,” Best if Sold By” or “Sell By” dates ranging from July 18 through July 23, 2018. [View Label (PDF only)]

The complete list of products, product labels, the UPC code numbers and other identifying information can be found here.

The products bear establishment number “EST. 39985 or P-39985” inside or next to the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to distribution centers nationwide.

This is just the latest recall involving romaine lettuce. Previous recalls involved a supplier from Yuma, Arizona. The CDC says lettuce from that supplier is now deemed safe.