Read This If You Recently Bought Basil From Kroger

Have you recently bought basil from Kroger, Schnucks, or any other retail store in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin? If so, you'll want to read on because that basil in your refrigerator may have been recalled. On February 8, Shenandoah Growers, Inc. of Harrisonburg, Virginia voluntarily recalled approximately 3,240 units of fresh-cut, organic packaged basil sold in those locations. The reason? Concerns of potential contamination with Cyclospora, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Cyclospora is a parasite often associated with fresh fruits and vegetables (via FDA). When a person eats food or drinks water contaminated with it, they may become infected with cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness (via FDA). Cyclosporiasis usually involves frequent and sometimes explosive diarrhea but can also involve nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and pain, gas, and bloating and often presents with flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, body aches, and fatigue. The typical time between exposure (via consumption of contaminated food or water) and the onset of symptoms is about one week, and most people respond quickly and fully to antibiotics. 

Not everyone who becomes infected with cyclosporiasis will have symptoms. However, anyone who is infected may shed the parasite in their stool, which can then cause further food and water contamination.

All basil subject to the February 8 recall were grown in Colombia and came in plastic clamshell packs that were labeled as organic and sold under the brand names Simple Truth, That's Tasty, and Shenandoah Grower's by That's Tasty. The basil was packed in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 3 and February 4, 2021, prior to distribution to Kroger, Schnucks, and other retail locations in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. 

Therefore, if you purchased organic basil in a clamshell pack bearing any of those brand names from any such locations after February 3, you should examine the package(s) for any of the following Lot Codes: PV40515 1034, PV40515 3034, PV40515 4034, and PV40515 3035, which were subject to the recall. If you see any of these Lot Codes, you should discard the package immediately and not eat it. Customers who would like a refund for their basil should contact Shenandoah Growers Consumer Response Center.

The recall was prompted by a routine inspection conducted by the FDA of a sample of the basil upon entry to the U.S. at a port in Miami. That inspection revealed the potential presence of Cyclospora in the sample. So far, it appears no illnesses have been reported.