Dole Salad Recall 2016
Back in July of 2015, twelve people became infected with Listeria. All 12 people had been hospitalized with 1 person having died as a result of listeriosis. The twelve infected were from six different states including Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) along with the FDA and other organizations, began a multi-state investigation which started in September of 2015. Part of their investigation is through product sampling where they collected Dole brand Field Greens packaged salad from a retailer and found it to contain listeria. From the testing and information they obtained they were able to link the illnesses to the Dole brand packaged salads that were being produced at the Springfield, Ohio facility.
Yesterday, January 21, 2016, Dole reported to CDC that it has stopped production at the processing facility in Springfield, Ohio. The company will also be pulling packaged salads, that were produced at the Ohio facility, from retail stores. The withdrawal does not affect other Dole products.
CDC recommends that consumers do not eat, restaurants do not serve, and retailers do not sell packaged salads produced at the Dole processing facility in Springfield, Ohio. These packaged salads were sold under various brand names, including the following
- Dole, Fresh Selections
- Simple Truth, Marketside
- The Little Salad Bar
- President’s Choice.
The packaged salads can be identified by the letter “A” at the beginning of the manufacturing code found on the package. At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that packaged salads produced at other Dole processing facilities in the United States are linked to illness.
List of states included in the voluntary withdrawal:
- Alabama
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
Retailers and consumers who have any remaining product with an “A” code should not consume it, and are urged to discard it. Retailer and consumer questions about the voluntary withdrawal should be directed to the Dole Food Company Consumer Response Center at 800-356-3111) (hours are 8:00am-8:00pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday).
Follow these steps if Dole brand packaged salads produced at the Dole processing facility in Springfield, Ohio are in your home or establishment:
- Throw the packaged salad away in a closed plastic bag placed in a sealed trash can. This will prevent people and animals from eating it.
- Wash the refrigerator drawer and other areas where the packaged salads were stored with hot water and soap.
- Wash cutting boards, surfaces, and utensils used to serve or store packaged salads. If possible, use a dishwasher; otherwise, use hot water and soap, followed by sanitizing with a solution of one tablespoon chlorine bleach added to one gallon of hot water.
- Wash your hands with warm water and soap after cleaning up.
What should I do if I ate Dole brand packaged salad?
- If you have eaten a Dole brand packaged salad and do not have any symptoms, most experts believe that tests or treatment are not needed, even for persons at higher risk for listeriosis.
- People who develop symptoms of listeriosis after eating possibly contaminated products can consider seeking medical care and telling a healthcare provider about eating that product. Although people can sometimes develop listeriosis up to 2 months after eating contaminated food, symptoms usually start within several days.
Who is most at risk for listeriosis?
People at higher risk for listeriosis include:
- Pregnant women and their newborns,
- Adults 65 and older, and
- People with weakened immune systems.
For more information on this you can visit the CDC or the FDA websites.