The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned consumers about a multi-state E. coli outbreak associated with Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp chopped salad kits.
According to the CDC, eight people have been infected with E. coli as of December 9, after consuming the Sunflower Crisp chopped salad kits from Fresh Express. Of the eight people infected, three were hospitalized, on of whom developed kidney failure.
Although it is still investigating a link, the CDC said that the outbreak is caused by a different strain of E. coli than the ongoing outbreak linked to romaine lettuce from Salinas, California. This outbreak has affected more than 100 people since it started.
The CDC has called on consumers, restaurants and retailers not sell or consume any of the salad kits with a best-before date up to and including December 7, 2019, and with the identification code UPC 0 71279 30906 4, beginning with lot code Z. The code can be found on the top right corner of the front of the packaging.
Customers are advised to throw the product away even if some of salad has already been consumed and nobody fell ill. It also recommends people to wash and sanitize the drawers or refrigerator shelves where the product was stored.
The CDC notes that E. coli infection symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting, with others developing a low fever. These may manifest two to eight days after consumption of the E. coli-contaminated product.
The health agency encourages people to see their healthcare provider once these symptoms occur and also advised them to write down what they ate the week before getting sick and reporting the illness to a local health department.
Infected people should wash their hands thoroughly after changing diapers, using the toilet, and before preparing food to avoid infecting others with E. coli.
