News and Stories

This update does not apply to any Markon First Crop, Ready-Set-Serve, or Markon Essentials products.

Following the Siga Logistics basil recall notice, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local partners, have announced they are investigating a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora illnesses potentially linked to fresh basil exported by Siga Logistics de RL de CV located in Morelos, Mexico. Although the investigation is ongoing, CDC’s analysis of epidemiologic information indicates that contaminated fresh basil is the likely cause of the illnesses. FDA has increased import screening on basil and will continue to investigate the cause and source of the outbreak as well as the distribution of products.  

FDA recommendations:

• Consumers should not buy, eat or serve any fresh basil exported by Siga Logistics de R.L. de C.V located in Morelos, MX
  • If consumers cannot determine if their basil is from this company they should avoid basil from Mexico
  • If they do not know what country the basil is from, they should avoid it
  • Do not consume or serve uncooked items like pesto or salad that may include fresh basil from Mexico unless you are certain that the fresh basil was not exported from Siga Logistics S. de R.L. de C.V
• Importers, Suppliers, and Distributors as well as Restaurants, Retails, and other Foodservice Providers to not sell, serve or distribute fresh basil exported by Siga Logistics de R.L. de C.V located in Morelos, MX
• If uncertain of the source, do not sell, serve or distribute fresh basil

CDC highlights:

• CDC is reporting the current case count of 132 reported laboratory confirmed cases, with 4 reported hospitalizations and no deaths
• These cases encompass 11 states, but are limited to consuming fresh basil from various restaurants in 4 states – FL, MN, NY, OH
• The illness onset dates range from June 14, 2019 – July 9, 2019
• Siga Logistics de R.L. de C.V located in Morelos, MX is issuing a voluntary recall of their fresh basil

Click here to review the FDA press release.

Markon will update members should more information become available.

Lianna Kelly

Food Safety Director

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