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Salami sticks sold at Trader Joe’s linked to 8-state salmonella outbreak

FREELAND, Pa. — A salmonella outbreak linked to Citterio brand Premium Italian-Style Salame Sticks has sickened at least 20 people across eight states, and that figure could be significantly higher, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed Saturday.

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Neither the U.S. Food and Drug Administration nor Freeland, Pennsylvania-based Citterio USA had issued a product recall for the salami sticks by Sunday afternoon, but the CDC warned all consumers to toss the products immediately, regardless of their “sell by” date.

“The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and this outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for salmonella,” the CDC stated.

Investigators are still working to determine if additional products may be contaminated.

According to the agency, three people required hospitalization after eating the tainted salami sticks, nine others fell ill and eight additional people reported that they may have eaten the salami sticks before getting sick.

Citterio brand Premium Italian-Style Salame Sticks were sold at Trader Joe’s and possibly at other stores, the CDC stated.

To date, California has confirmed between four and eight salmonella infections; Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota have each reported between two and three illnesses; and Kansas, New Jersey, New York and Virginia have each confirmed at least one salami stick-linked illness, the agency confirmed.

Consumers are urged to wash all items, containers and surfaces that may have come into contact with potentially tainted products, using hot soapy water or a dishwasher, the agency stated.

According to the agency, most people who contract salmonella experience diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, with symptoms typically beginning between six hours and six days after swallowing the bacteria. Although the majority of those who fall ill usually recover without treatment after four to seven days, children younger than 5, adults 65 and older and immunocompromised people may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization.

Medical attention should be sought if any of the following salmonella symptoms occur:

  • Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102 degrees.
  • Diarrhea for more than three days that does not improve.
  • Bloody diarrhea.
  • So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down.
  • Signs of dehydration, including limited urination, dry mouth and throat and dizziness upon standing.