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FDA updates BrightFarms salad outbreak investigation

brightfarms salad case count
Interview data and shopper card records show that seven people ate or bought multiple types of BrightFarms brand salad products before they got sick, including Sunny Crunch, 50/50 Spring & Spinach, Harvest Crunch, and Butter Crisp.

July 22, 2021

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections linked to the consumption of BrightFarms packaged salad greens produced in the firm’s Rochelle, IL facility.

On July 15, 2021, BrightFarms recalled packaged salad greens produced in its Rochelle, Illinois (Ogle County) greenhouse farm because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. On July 21, 2021, Michigan was added to the list of states that received recalled products. Recalled products were sold in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, and Michigan.  FDA visited the farm and collected samples. More information will be provided once available.

FDA continues to work with BrightFarms to determine if there are additional products or “Best By” dates that could have been affected. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

Recommendation

Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled BrightFarms packaged salad greens produced in Rochelle, IL. The salads are packaged in a plastic clamshell container labeled as “fresh from Rochelle, IL.” According to the firm, these products were distributed in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, and Michigan.

Consumers, restaurants, retailers, and distributors should check their refrigerators and throw away any of the products identified above.

If you purchased or used these products, you should use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces that may have come in contact with the product, to reduce the risk of cross contamination.

FDA recommends that anyone who has symptoms of salmonellosis contact their healthcare provider.

Investigation Background

On July 15, 2021, BrightFarms recalled packaged salad greens produced in its Rochelle, Illinois (Ogle County) greenhouse farm sold in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Indiana. On July 21, 2021, Michigan was added to the list of states that received recalled products. Interview data and shopper card records show that seven people ate or bought multiple types of BrightFarms brand salad products before they got sick, including Sunny Crunch, 50/50 Spring & Spinach, Harvest Crunch, and Butter Crisp. FDA conducted a traceback investigation and identified the farm in Rochelle, IL, as the likely source of the BrightFarms brand salad bought by people who became ill.

The FDA is working with BrightFarms to determine if there are additional products that could have been affected. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

The affected BrightFarms-branded products were sold by the following retailers:

  • Illinois: Mariano’s Fresh Markets, Walmart (select stores), Strack Van Till, Sullivan’s Foods, Caputo’s, Jewel-Osco
  • Wisconsin: Pick ‘n Save, Metro Market, Copps, Tadych’s, Walmart (select stores)
  • Iowa: Walmart (select stores)
  • Indiana: Strack Van Till
  • Michigan: Tadych’s

Additional retailers may be affected.

The recall includes the below salad products packaged in clear, plastic clamshells with “best by” dates through 7/29/2021:

  • BrightFarms Nutrigreens TM (3 oz. package)
  • BrightFarms Butter Crisp TM (4 oz. Package)
  • BrightFarms Harvest Crunch ® (4 oz. package)
  • BrightFarms Mighty Romaine TM (4 oz. and 8 oz. package)
  • BrightFarms 50/50 Spring & Spinach (4 oz. package)
  • BrightFarms Spring Crunch (4 oz. package)
  • BrightFarms Spring Mix (4 oz. and 8 oz. package)
  • BrightFarms Sunny Crunch ® (4 oz. and 8 oz. package)
  • BrightFarms Lakeside Crunch TM  (4 oz. Package)

For specific product information and images, please see the recall page.

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