According to a recent food safety alert, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating a listeria outbreak linked to Dole packaged salads. So far, the outbreak has resulted in two deaths and 17 illnesses across 13 states.
A recall on Dole salads comes as the CDC investigates a separate listeria outbreak tied to Fresh Express packaged salads.
According to the CDC, the recalled packaged salads include mixed greens, garden salads, Caesar kits and many other bagged salads. The “best if used by” dates range from Nov. 30, 2021, through Jan. 9, 2022. The product lot code beings with the letter “B,” “N,” “W” or “Y” in the upper right-hand corner of the package. Although Dole produces the recalled products, they are sold under the following brands:
- Ahold
- HEB
- Kroger
- Lidl
- Little Salad Bar
- Marketside
- Naturally Better
- Nature’s Promise
- President’s Choice
- Simply Nature
Investigators from the agency have found the outbreak strain of listeria in packaged salads produced by Dole.
What Is Listeria?
Listeria can cause severe illness when the bacteria spread beyond the gut to other parts of the body. Symptoms of an infection usually start one to four weeks after eating contaminated food. However, symptoms can begin as late as 10 weeks after.
Listeria can cause common food poisoning symptoms like diarrhea and fever. People may experience symptoms of muscle aches, fatigue, headache, stiff neck and confusion. People who experience these symptoms usually recover without treatment, although listeria can cause pregnancy loss, premature birth or severe illness in newborns.
What’s Next?
Check your refrigerator for recalled salad and either throw it away or return it. For further protection, thoroughly clean your refrigerator, items or other surfaces that may have come in contact with the affected product. Listeria can survive in the fridge and easily spread to other foods and surfaces.
If you exhibit symptoms of a listeria infection, contact your doctor.
