OAK BROOK, Ill. -- McDonald's is pulling salads from 3,000 units in the Midwest after the greens were identified as the possible source of a cyclospora contamination in Illinois and Iowa that has already sickened more than 100 people.
Consumers started showing the symptoms of a cyclospora infection in mid-May, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. About a fourth of the 90 Illinois victims to date reported eating a McDonald’s salad in the days before they were stricken.
Iowa health officials say symptoms of a cyclospora contamination were first reported in June, and the number has since risen to 15. There, too, the victims reported eating a McDonald’s salad.
Both states say they are still investigating the outbreak, with the collaboration of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration. Both also noted that McDonald’s is cooperating fully in the efforts to verify that the salads were the source of the cluster of illnesses.
"Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to voluntarily stop selling salads at impacted restaurants until we can switch to another lettuce blend supplier," the Chicago-based quick-service giant said in a statement.
Cyclospora is a parasite common in developing countries. It causes diarrhea, weight loss, nausea, fever and fatigue. The same pathogen is responsible for La Crosse, Wis.-based Kwik Trip’s recall of Del Monte vegetable trays in June.
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