Cilantro linked to intestinal infection in parts of the country

According to website Consumerist, the popular flavorful herb has been pulled from the shelves of Kroger and Walmart stores after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration implemented a seasonal ban on some cilantro imported from the Mexican state of Pueblo.

Previous U.S. outbreaks of the illness have been linked to imported fresh produce, including cilantro from the same region in Mexico which was the subject of a partial ban imposed by the FDA on July 27. H-E-B has voluntarily removed all fresh cilantro and products containing fresh cilantro grown in Mexico and will replace with domestically grown cilantro to ensure no items are impacted.

Georgia reported clusters of the illness to the CDC. Customers with any questions or concerns may contact H-E-B Customer Relations at 1-800-432-3113.

According to the FDA, there have been 358 cases of cyclosporiasis in 26 states this year.

Cluster investigations in Wisconsin and Texas have preliminarily identified cilantro as a suspect vehicle. Investigations are ongoing for the various clusters. Texas health officials are investigating a cyclosporiasis outbreak this year that may be linked to cilantro from Puebla as well.

The FDA issued an alert saying it is detaining all cilantro from Mexico at the border through August and won’t allow the import of any cilantro from Puebla without inspections and certification showing it’s not contaminated.

Five of the eight Puebla farms have been linked to recurrent outbreaks of the serious gastric disease cyclosporiasis in the US since 2012. Among them, human feces and toilet paper in growing fields and restrooms without running water, soap or toilet paper. The parasite is too small to see without the use of a microscope.

Ryan Osterholm, an attorney with the national food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, represented an Iowa woman who contracted a parasitic Cyclospora infection after eating at an Olive Garden. The illness is not transmitted from person to person. People with cyclospora experience water diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, increased gas, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, low-grade fever and other flu-like symptoms. When treated by a physician, the antibiotics Bactrum, Septra or Cotrim are prescribed.

The illness can last for several weeks to a month or more, and it can return after symptoms disappear.