Salads recalled due to two deadly Listeria outbreaks

• Health authorities recall salads for two different deadly listeria outbreaks in the United States.
• Three people have already died because of eating contaminated salads.
• At least 25 states in the United States could be at risk.

Authorities have recalled salads because of two different deadly listeria outbreaks in the U.S. So far, three people have already died from the tainted lettuce. The authorities warn customers not to buy or consume these items because it could put their lives at risk.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicated that they are investigating two outbreaks linked to contaminated packaged salads. The first of them involves Dole brand salads, for which two deaths have already been reported, and the other for Fresh Express salads, which has caused the death of a third person.

Salads recalled due to deadly Listeria outbreaks

According to the CDC, these are two separate outbreaks of listeria that, in both cases, have been linked to pre-packaged salads. This is why various types of Dole and Fresh Express brand salads are being withdrawn from the market.

So far, 17 people have been infected due to the contaminated Dole products. Thirteen of those were hospitalized and two of them have died of the disease that they contracted after consuming Dole packaged salads.

Dole’s Tainted Salads

Authorities say that this is still an ACTIVE investigation and that, at the moment, it has reached 13 states in the U.S. For its part, Dole has recalled packaged salads sold under various brand names. See below which brands are affected.

Shoppers should note that these aren’t just products that say Dole on the packaging. This is the LIST OF AFFECTED BRANDS: Ahold, Dole, HEB, Kroger, Lidl, Little Salad Bar, Marketside, Naturally Better, Nature’s Promise, President’s Choice, and Simply Nature.

What kind of products are affected?

For you to identify contaminated food, CDC explains that “the products include mixed greens, garden salads, Caesar kits and many other types of salads in bags or shells.” They added that the packaging says: “Best if used before dates of 11/30/21 to 09/01/22”.

In addition, customers can check to see if “the product batch code begins with the letter “B”, “N”, “W” or “Y” in the upper right corner of the package.” You can also check the COMPLETE LIST OF ITEMS that the company withdrew from the market due to the risk of listeria.

Where were Dole salads distributed?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the recalled salads were originally distributed in Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

This means that the contaminated salads reached at least 23 states in the U.S. and also some Canadian provinces. The health authorities do not rule out that in distribution processes, the products have reached other states in the US.

Contaminated Salads from Fresh Express

In the case of the outbreak of listeria in Fresh Express salads, ten people were infected. All ten of them were hospitalized and one died from the disease contracted after consuming contaminated salads.

This is also an ACTIVE investigation and, according to the CDC, has reached eight states in the country. The contaminated salads «were distributed through retailers in the northeastern and midwestern regions of the United States, as well as distributors and retailers in Canada,» the FDA said.

Where were the Fresh Express salads distributed?

“US distribution includes the states of CT, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, ND, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, WI. Canadian distribution includes the provinces of Ontario and Manitoba,” added the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Among the brands affected by this outbreak are «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,» said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

How does listeria affect the body?

In this case, millions of people have been exposed to the bacteria listeria monocytogenes which “can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.”

“Although healthy people may experience only short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Consumers with these symptoms should consult their health care provider,» stated Fresh Express. Salads were recalled due to two deadly Listeria outbreaks.

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