A list of produce sold in NC grocery stores linked to stomach illness
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
Summer 2026 has felt chock-full of produce recalls, both voluntarily and by the FDA.
Read more The fall of ‘Team Young Money’: How officials dismantled an NC heroin operation
North Carolina has seen hundreds of cases of cyclosporiasis this summer. Cyclosporiasis is a parasitic infection that causes prolonged, “explosive” diarrhea. In much of the country, cases were tied to shredded lettuce sold by distributor Taylor Farms. North Carolina officials have said cases here are not linked to the lettuce.
While a specific source hasn’t been identified, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has said sickened people ate parsley and cilantro more frequently on average than most of the population.
Since the cyclospora outbreak began, produce has been linked to other stomach illnesses.
Produce distributed in North Carolina, as well as other parts of the country, has been tied to E. coli and salmonella cases, including two cases of co-occurring E. coli and salmonella.
People can become infected with salmonella by eating raw and undercooked foods, such as meat, poultry, eggs and raw milk. People may also get salmonella from handling animals, including pets. In recent years, more outbreaks have been caused by consuming fresh produce, according to the NC Department of Public Health and Human Services.
E. coli bacteria is naturally found in the body, but some types are harmful to human beings. These forms produce Shiga toxins, which cause illness. Around 100 people die in the United States yearly of E. coli infections, according to the NC Department of Health and Human Services.
Primary sources of E. coli include raw and undercooked ground meat, raw milk and fecal contamination of produce, according to the World Health Organization. Cooking foods thoroughly and washing (and if possible, peeling) produce helps lower risk.
Outshine Bars have also been recalled, including in North Carolina, because they may contain glass. In other parts of the country, eggs have also been tied to illness, but they have not been distributed in North Carolina.
Read more What’s new, what’s opening and what’s to eat this week in Charlotte
Here are the fruits and vegetables distributed in North Carolina that have been tied to infection. Not all have been recalled.
Jalapeños from Sinaloa, Mexico distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors were recalled after being linked to salmonella cases. Cases have been reported in North Carolina.
Individual companies have since recalled products, including Taylor Farms, the company that distributed lettuce tied to cyclospora cases this summer. Taylor Farms did not distribute jalapeños in North Carolina.
Salmonella linked to jalapeños sickened at least 345 people in 27 states, including North Carolina, according to the CDC. Three cases have been identified in North Carolina, the Charlotte Observer previously reported.
Frozen blueberries sold at Publix were recalled and then upgraded to the highest risk level. Class 1 recalls indicate “a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death,” according to the FDA.
The blueberries have been linked to E. coli infections. They include:
More than 50 people have been sickened with either E. coli or salmonella — and two with both — after eating alfalfa sprouts. Two of the cases were in North Carolina, and 14 other states have been affected.
The cases have been linked to alfalfa sprouts grown by Everything Sprouts and sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands at retailers and grocery stores. A recall has not been issued.
Sections of this article were previously published in The Charlotte Observer.
Questions about life in North Carolina? Or have a tip or story idea you’d like to share? The service journalism teams at The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer want to hear from you.
Read more If the Carolina Panthers’ season started now, who could — and couldn’t — play?
You can submit your question by filling out this form.
