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Hy-Vee voluntarily recalls its Spring Pasta Salad

Columbus Telegram - 7/18/2018

July 18--Hy-Vee voluntarily recalled its Spring Pasta Salad on Monday due to the possibility it may be contaminated with Salmonella.

"We want to do the best that we can to keep our customers safe," said Tina Potthoff, vice president of communications for Hy-Vee.

Potthoff said there were 20 reported cases of salmonella in Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa this year, which could possibly be linked back to its customers consuming the salad.

Hy-Vee has 244 stores spanning across eight states, including Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas, but the voluntary recall only took place in four locations, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota.

The recall includes its Spring Pasta Salads in both 1-pound and 3-pound containers produced between June 1 and July 13. These products are commonly found in the Hy-Vee Deli department.

In 2018, reports provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed a total of five salmonella cases being reported in eastern Nebraska, resulting in four individuals being hospitalized.

The CDC estimates Salmonella causes approximately 1.2 million illnesses and 450 deaths annually. Young children, those with preexisting illness and senior citizens are at the highest risk of contracting salmonella.

Most commonly, symptoms include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, according to the CDC.

The East-Central District Health Department states the Salmonella virus lives in the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals, noting humans are commonly infected by digesting food contaminated with the virus, which includes under-cooked poultry and unpasteurized dairy products.

Prevention can be tough because people can't detect the bacteria in their food sources. However, the CDC encourages people to wash their hands regularly and to thoroughly cook poultry, ground beef and eggs.

People should keep their kitchen surfaces clean and immediately clean utensils with soap and water after being in contact with raw meat.

Potthof advised customers with Hy-Vee Spring Pasta Salads in their homes to dispose it or return it to their local Hy-Vee local store. She said the CDC is still in the process conducting its investigation on the 20 reported cases in an effort to find a definitive cause. While the contributing factors haven't been specifically linked to the Spring Pasta Salad, Hy-Vee opted to be safe rather than sorry.

"If there is a linkage, we want to make sure people are throwing the salad away," she said.

Hy-Vee in Columbus is at 3010 23rd St.

Customers with questions are encouraged to call the Hy-Vee Customer Care representatives at 1-800-772-4098.

Natasya Ong is a reporter for The Columbus Telegram. Reach her via email at natasya.ong@lee.net.

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