Kwik Trip Veggie Trays Again Linked To Foodborne Illness

Wisconsin-based convenience store chain Kwik Trip has removed some vegetable trays from its stores after several reported illnesses in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Officials from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services said three people in Wisconsin and one in Minnesota reported consuming a Del Monte vegetable tray from Kwik Trip before falling ill from salmonellosis, an illness caused by salmonella bacteria. Symptoms are similar to the flu and include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and vomiting.

The affected patients are not linked to one region in Wisconsin and all three reported becoming ill between April 13 and April 27.

Ryan Wozniak, supervisor for DHS’s Bureau of Communicable Diseases, said it takes several weeks for an outbreak to be confirmed. And it’s possible more cases of salmonellosis will be reported in coming days.

“Our Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection and (the U.S. Food & Drug Administration) are investigating the entire distribution chain and it’s possible that there are some other retailers that may be selling these products,” Wozniak said.

Wozniak said anyone who has recently consumed the product and is experiencing symptoms should contact their doctor.

The 6- and 12-ounce Del Monte vegetable trays contain broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and dill dip.

The same product sold at Kwik Trip stores last June sickened more than a dozen people in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Del Monte vegetable trays were eventually linked to 250 cyclospora infections in four states. Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite often found on fresh produce imported from developing countries.

But Jeri Barak, assistant professor of plant pathology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said cyclospora and salmonella are very different pathogens.

“There are many different types of things that are on the tray and so what was contaminated with cyclospora may not be exactly be what was contaminated with salmonella,” Barak said. “Sometimes it’s not the most likely culprit, not what you think it would be. So we all thought maybe it’s the dill in the sauce. Because people don’t often think that it’s the herbs.”

Barak said fresh produce is the most common way people in the United States contract salmonellosis.

In response to the reported illnesses, Kwik Trip Inc. said they voluntarily removed the products from their stores Saturday.

“We work closely with local, state and federal officials on a continuum to make sure the products we sell are of the highest quality and safe for public consumption,” an email statement provided by the company read.

The company added they do not process or manufacture vegetables trays.

A representative from Del Monte hasn’t returned a request for comment.