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McDonald’s removing salads from 3,000 stores after reports of parasite-induced illness

(Rogelio V. Solis | The Associated Press) This Feb. 15, 2018, file photo shows a McDonald's Restaurant in Brandon, Miss. Seven national fast-food chains have agreed to end policies that block workers from changing branches, limiting their wages and job opportunities, under the threat of legal action from the state of Washington. Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced the binding agreements with companies including Arby’s, Jimmy John’s and Cinnabon, at a news conference Thursday, July 12, 2018. McDonald's also signed on, but previously announced plans to end the practice.

Chicago • McDonald’s is stopping the sale of salads at 3,000 restaurants after people became sick from a parasite causing intestinal illness.

The Chicago-based fast-food chain said Friday it's acting "out of an abundance of caution" until switching to another supplier. Health officials in Illinois and Iowa say they've identified roughly 100 combined cases of cyclosporiasis apparently linked to consuming McDonald's salads. The illness is caused by the Cyclospora parasite.

McDonald's is removing the lettuce blend from identified restaurants and distribution centers. At least one of the affected restaurants is in each of the following states: Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Kentucky, West Virginia and Missouri.

The most common symptom is watery diarrhea. Other symptoms could include appetite loss, intestinal pain, nausea and fatigue.