Listeria Outbreaks Linked to Packaged Salads Seem All Too Common
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are currently investigating two separate Listeria outbreaks that are linked to packaged salads. One of the listeria outbreaks is linked to packaged salads produced by Dole and the other listeria outbreak is linked to packaged salads produced by Fresh Express. Listeria monocytogenes are a type of bacteria which can cause severe gastrointestinal illness which may spread throughout the body. For most people, a listeria infection, known as listeriosis, causes food poisoning symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever. However, listeriosis can be serious and even life-threatening in people who are 65 years or older, expectant mothers, infants, and anyone who is immunocompromised.
The CDC reports, as of February 1, 2022, the listeria outbreak linked to packaged salads produced by Dole has caused 17 people to become ill, 13 people to seek hospitalization, and led to 2 deaths. The contaminated packaged salads include mixed greens, garden salads, Caesar kits, and many other types of salads in bags or clamshells produced by Dole with “best if used by” dates between 11/30/21 and 01/09/22. The concerned products have been sold under various brands, including Ahold, Froger, HEB, Dole, Marketside, and others. See the full list of brands here. Further information regarding the details of this recall and the ongoing investigation can be found here.
According to the CDC, the other listeria outbreak currently under investigation, linked to packaged salads produced by Fresh Express, has caused 10 people to become ill, 10 people to be hospitalized, and led to 1 death. The contaminated packaged salads produced by Fresh Express were sold under the following brand names: Fresh Express, Bowl & Basket, Giant Eagle, Little Salad Bar, Marketside, O Organics, Signature Farms, Simply Nature, Weis Fresh from the Field, and Wellsley Farms Organic. The recalled products include all “best if used by” dates with the product codes Z324 through Z350.
Health officials are still investigating the original sources and reasons for the spread of both of these listeria outbreaks. Consumers are directed to check if they are in possession of any of the above listed packaged salad products produced by Dole or Fresh Express. If you find that you have any of the recalled products, throw them away immediately and follow the CDC’s 5 steps to clean surfaces the items may have come into contact with. For further information regarding outbreak updates, visit the CDC’s website.
https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/packaged-salad-12-21-b/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/packaged-salad-mix-12-21/index.html
