The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now identified 15 victims in the wide-ranging Listeria outbreak linked to Dole prepackaged salads, likley produced at the Dole processing facility in Springfield, Ohio. The victims come from 8 different states, including Connecticut , Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania with some having become ill as far back as early July of 2015 and the most recent victim identified earlier this month. According to the CDC, the isolates derived from the victims are “highly related genetically,” having been analyzed using whole genome sequencing.
At least one victim is a young child of 3 years, with the oldest being 83. In addition, about three-quarters of all the victims are female, including one who was pregnant at the time. All of the identified victims have been hospitalized.
The investigation, which began back in September, was inconclusive until this month, when random testing in Ohio placed the genetic strain of Listeria in the Dole processing facility in Springfield, Ohio. On January 21, 2016, Dole announced it had suspended all production of packaged salads at that facility and announced a withdrawal of all salads produced there from the market. On January 27, 2016, Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. announced a major packaged salads recall for product originating at its Springfield, Ohio production facility. This came one day before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it had isolated the outbreak strain of Listeria in a packaged salad at the Springfield, Ohio, facility.
For more information about the Dole Salad Listeria Outbreak or other food poisoning outbreaks, call the lawyers at Ron Simon & Associates at 1-888-335-4901.
