A Virginia company is recalling fresh, imported, organic basil sold under eight brands because a state test showed positive results for the Cyclospora parasite. The FDA has not reported what retailers received the implicated basil.

Shenandoah Growers Inc. of Harrisonburg, VA, issued the recall of about 15,000 “units” in selec packages that were sent to various retail chains, according to the company’s recall notice posted by the Food and Drug Administration.

The implicated organic basil was packed in clamshells under branded and private labels at Shenandoah’s Jefferson, GA, facility and Harrisonburg, VA, facility with the following lot codes, all with the country of origin of Colombia. 

Recalled products were distributed to retail stores between 10/20/2020 and 10/30/2020 in various states including Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey and New York, as well as Washington D.C.

“This precautionary recall notification is being issued due to an isolated instance in which a package pulled by the Florida Department of Agriculture on 11/2/2020 from a retail store in Florida indicated the potential presence of Cyclospora,” according to the recall notice.

“Affected Shenandoah Growers customers have been notified of the recall and instructed to immediately remove and discard recalled products from all store shelves, distribution and other inventories to ensure they are no longer available for sale or consumption.”

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the Cyclospora parasite. A person may become infected after ingesting contaminated food or water.

Anyone who has eaten any of the implicated basil and developed symptoms of infection should seek medical attention. Also, people who ate the recalled basil should monitor themselves for symptoms because it can take time for symptoms to develop.

Common symptoms include severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, body aches and fatigue. The infection is treated with antibiotics and most people respond quickly to treatment.

Consumers who may have a recalled basil product in their homes should discard it immediately and not eat it. Consumers with questions, or to obtain refunds, may contact the Shenandoah Growers Consumer Response Center at 844-896-6939.