Salmonella Outbreak Traced To Basil Sold In Some MA Trader Joe's Stores

MASSACHUSETTS — Basil sold at Trader Joe’s in Massachusetts and multiple other states has been linked to an outbreak of salmonella that has sickened about a dozen people in seven states, the retailer said this week.

No salmonella cases have been found in Massachusetts connected to the tainted basil, although one case has been confirmed in Rhode Island, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The product, Infinite Herbs organic basil, was sold in 2.5-ounce clamshell packages between Feb. 1 and April 6 in Trader Joe’s stores in 29 states and the District of Columbia.

Trader Joe's locations in Massachusetts include:

• Acton
• Allston
• Arlington
• Boston
• Brookline
• Burlington
• Cambridge
• Foxborough
• Framingham
• Hadley
• Hanover
• Hingham
• Hyannis
• Needham
• Peabody
• Saugus
• Shrewsbury
• Somerville
• West Newton

Seven of eight people with salmonella infections reported eating basil they’d purchased at Trader Joe’s, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Traceback” data determined the basil was produced by Florida-based Infinite Herbs, LLC, the agency said.

One person was hospitalized after becoming infected with salmonella, an organism that can cause serious illnesses or even death.

States where the basil was sold also include Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont and Wisconsin, as well as the District of Columbia.

Salmonella infections were also reported in Minnesota (four), Florida (three), and Georgia, Missouri, New Jersey and Wisconsin, each with one illness.