In November 2019 local, state and federal agencies initiated and outbreak investigation of Salmonella Saintpaul infections reported from 15 states and the District of Columbia. A total of 97 outbreak associated cases were identified. Twenty people were hospitalized. No one died. Known onset dates ranged from November 7, 2019 to February 9, 2020.

Multiple people reported purchasing fruit, in both fruit bowls and as separate items. Many items were purchased at Costco stores. Sixty two of 68 cases reported consuming any fresh fruit. Seventy three percent specifically reported strawberries. Not enough traceback evidence could be compiled to converge for strawberries, but strawberries were statistically significant when compared to the FoodNet Population Survey. The cluster was monitored for several months and closed in week 19 of 2020.

The investigation was assigned CDC 1912MLJN6-1.