Salad Recall: Feces-Borne Parasite Linked To Packaged Salads

CALIFORNIA — It's time to check your refrigerator for healthy salads that could make you sick. The USDA on Tuesday issued an alert over beef, pork and poultry salads and wraps produced by Caito Foods of Indiana due to concerns of Cyclospora contamination, a feces-borne parasite in salads and wrap products from an Indianapolis company. The products are sold at Trader Joe's and Walgreens.

The fears arose after the company learned from their lettuce supplier, Fresh Express, that the chopped romaine used in some of the products was being recalled.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic Cyclospora parasite. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that it takes one to two weeks from the time it is passed through a bowel movement until it becomes infectious. People can become infected by consuming food or water contaminated with feces that contains the parasite. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news from your California neighborhood. Also, download the free Patch iPhone app or free Patch Android app. Also, be sure to follow your local Patch on Facebook!)

The illness "usually causes watery diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements," the CDC reports. "Other common symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps/pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Vomiting, body aches, headache, fever, and other flu-like symptoms may be noted."

The recalled beef, pork and poultry salad and wrap items were produced between July 15 and 18, and have "Best By," "Enjoy by," "Best if Sold By" or "Sell By" dates ranging from July 18 to July 23. The products have the number "EST. 39985 or P-39985" inside or next to the USDA mark of inspection.

The full list of recalled products can be found here and includes roast beef wraps, Santa Fe chicken salads, ham and turkey salad, Cobb salads, Caesar salads, Asian salad with chicken and more. Photos of all the product labels can be seen here.

This recall comes just one week after both Ritz Crackers and Goldfish Crackers were recalled in California.

Photos via USDA/Written by By Shannon Antinori, Patch and Bea Karnes, Patch