McDonald’s Pulls Salads From Iowa and Illinois Menus After Parasite Outbreak | Eater

"A major fast-food chain voluntarily pulled salads from about 3,000 Midwest restaurants after dozens of customers reportedly contracted the cyclospora parasite following consumption of its salads. Since mid-May, health officials linked at least 20 illnesses in Illinois and about 15 in Iowa (with some reports suggesting up to 90 Illinois cases, not all confirmed to have eaten the salads); the Illinois Department of Public Health has not tied the outbreak to any single restaurant, with cases appearing across multiple counties. Cyclospora infections can take more than a week to appear and may last from days to months, causing symptoms such as vomiting, cramps, diarrhea and frequent, sometimes explosive bowel movements, and can recur; the infection is treatable with antibiotics, and anyone in the affected states who became ill after eating a salad since mid-May is advised to see a doctor. The company says it removed existing salad blend from identified restaurants and distribution centers and halted salad sales in impacted locations out of an abundance of caution while it seeks a new lettuce blend supplier." - Tim Forster