The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating two outbreaks of the bacterial foodborne illness listeria traced to packaged mixed salad products. One of the outbreaks, linked to packaged salads produced by Dole, has resulted in two deaths.
The CDC reported that there have been 17 illnesses and 13 hospitalizations traced to Dole products including mixed greens, garden salads, Caesar kits, and many other types of salads in bags or clamshells.
Recalls of the products began at the end of December.
The packaged salads are sold under several brand names besides Dole, including Ahold, HEB, Kroger, Lidl, Little Salad Bar, Marketside, Naturally Better, Nature's Promise, President's Choice, and Simply Nature.
Which Salad Mixes Were in the Recall?
The salads involved had “Best if used by” dates from November 30, 2021, through January 9, 2022.
They also had product lot codes beginning with the letter “B,” “N,” “W,” or “Y.”
Dole posted voluntary recall notices with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on December 22, 2021, and on January 7, 2022, with the full list of recalled salads.
Another Salad Recall and Listeria Outbreak
The CDC is also continuing its ongoing investigation of a separate listeria outbreak tied to Fresh Express packaged salads.
On December 20, 2021, the FDA announced a recall of several brands of packaged salad, including 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 CDC reported that the outbreak has resulted in 10 illnesses and hospitalizations, and one death across 8 states.
What Is Listeria?
According to the CDC, the listeria, or listeriosis, infection is caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Foods that do not require cooking are the most common culprits. They may include raw vegetables, unpasteurized milk or foods made with unpasteurized milk, and certain processed foods.
An estimated 1,600 people get listeriosis each year, and about 260 die. Among the most at risk are pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems, and the elderly.
“Listeria can be very dangerous, and I think particularly so in older persons, because it clearly can cause systemic illness with bloodstream infections,” William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease specialist and professor of preventive medicine and health policy at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee, said when a 2020 outbreak was traced to deli meats.
In addition to diarrhea, nausea, and fever, patients may experience fever, chills, and muscle aches. Mayo Clinic cautions that listeria infection can spread to your nervous system, producing headache, stiff neck, confusion or changes in alertness, loss of balance, and convulsions.
Listeria symptoms may appear soon after eating contaminated food, but the first signs of infection can take up to 30 days or more to develop.