Dole Food Company, Inc. has issued a voluntary recall of several brands and types of salad products due to potential listeria contamination. This news broke earlier in the week, but yours truly only just heard it, so I’m passing it on in case there are others who haven’t heard about the listeria-laden lettuce recall.
Dole Food Company, Inc. has issued a voluntary recall of several brands and types of salad products due to potential listeria contamination. This news broke earlier in the week, but yours truly only just heard it, so I’m passing it on in case there are others who haven’t heard about the listeria-laden lettuce recall.
As I write this, I’m waiting for a return call from my doctor’s office. I only heard about the recall this morning, you see. Imagine my surprise when I checked the half-empty bag of cole slaw in my refrigerator and discovered it was part of the recalled lot. I’ve felt a bit “off” this week, but I’m (still) hoping it’s due to a change in diet and not billions of little monsters setting up shop in my gut. Only time will tell.
UPDATE: I heard from my doctor’s office. The good news is that those of us not in the high-risk group (below) are usually protected by our stomach acid, which kills the critters before they get out of hand. It’s most likely that I am fine, but they advised me to keep an eye on the situation. So, if you’ve also eaten the contaminated product, do pay attention to how you’re feeling and don’t wait to call the doctor if you’re concerned. That’s what they’re there for, after all.
Stores were quicker than I to jump on the bandwagon, thankfully. While this is not a comprehensive list, stores with issued recalls include:
- Giant
- Kroger
- ALDI
- Price Chopper
- Walmart
- Fred Meyer
- Schnucks
- Meijer
- ShopRite
- Stop n Shop
- Food 4 Less
- Jay C
- FoodsCo
- PriceRite
Dole shipped the recalled product to the following states:
- 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
The brand names under which the recalled product was sold are:
- Dole
- Fresh Selections
- Simple Truth
- Marketside
- The Little Salad Bar
- President’s Choice Organics
A more detailed list of products is at the end of this article.
How to tell if you have a recalled product:
The recalled product was produced at the Dole plant in Springfield, Ohio. This plant prints a letter “A” at the beginning of the manufacturing code. This code is typically near the “Enjoy By” or “Use By” date on the package. If your product has the letter “A” do NOT eat it!
If you’re lucky enough to have not eaten it, discard the product immediately. Put the package in a sealable plastic bag and either throw it away or take it back to the store where you bought it.
IMPORTANT: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching the product. Wash anything that came into contact with the package: countertops, cutting boards, dishes, utensils, plates, etc. Clean your refrigerator with a mild bleach solution. After you’re done cleaning, wash your hands again.
Listeria can grow at refrigerator temperatures! If you suspect other food has touched the packaging, discard it, too.
If, like me, you ate some of the recalled product, watch for the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Stiff neck
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Loss of balance
- Confusion
- Convulsion
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Other gastrointestinal or flu-like symptoms
Listeriosis symptoms may take up to 70 days to appear. Most people, however, become sick within a few days or a few weeks.
The only accurate means of knowing if you have listeriosis is a blood test. This is a dangerous but treatable illness. Most normally healthy people who suffer severe complications (or death) have waited too long to seek medical attention.
Listeria is most dangerous for children, seniors, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems. While pregnant women may only experience the milder, flu-like symptoms, listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery and the infection can be passed to the newborn baby.
Brands
The Dole brand products include: Dole Baby Kale 4.5 OZ, Dole Italian Blend 10 OZ, Dole Hearts of Romaine 9 OZ, Dole Shredded Lettuce 8 OZ, Dole American Blend 12 OZ, Dole Classic Romaine 9 OZ, Dole Just Lettuce 9 OZ; Dole Spring Mix 5 OZ, Dole Spinach 8 OZ, Dole Greener Selection 12 OZ, Dole 50/50 Blend Bag 5 OZ, Dole Very Veggie 12 OZ, Dole Baby Spinach 6 OZ, Dole Chopped Chipotle & Cheddar Kit 12.9 OZ, Dole Chopped Bacon & Bleu Kit 12.9 OZ, Dole Garlic Caesar Salad Kit 9.9 OZ, Dole Southwest Salad Kit 12.8 OZ, Dole Pomegranate Flax with Brussels Kit 13.1 OZ, Dole Choppes BBQ Ranch Kit 14.4 OZ, Dole Light Caesar Salad Kit 9.7 OZ, Dole Cherry Almond Bleu Spinach Kit 8.3 OZ, Dole Sunflower & Kale Salad Kit 13.6 OZ, Dole Caesar Salad Kit 9.9 OZ, Dole Ultimate Caesar Salad Kit 11.2 OZ, Dole Endless Summer Salad Kit 12.9 OZ, Dole Caesar Salad Kit 11.5 OZ, Dole Angel Hair Coleslaw 10 OZ, Dole Classic Iceberg 3 LB, 48 OZ; Dole Romaine Family Size 15 OZ, Dole Shredded Red Cabbage 10 OZ, Dole Shredded Lettuce FS 16 OZ, Cole Classic Coleslaw 14 OZ, Dole Sesame Asian Chopped Salad Kit 27.2 OZ and Dole Classic Salad Mix – 5 LB Bulk used in the salad bar.
The Simple Truth brand salads include: Simple Truth Organic Baby Spinach 16 OZ, Simple Truth Organic 50/50 Blend 5 OZ, Simple Truth Organic Baby Spring Mix with Herbs 5 OZ, Simple Truth Organic Baby Spring Mix 5 OZ, Simple Truth Organic Baby Spring Mix 16 OZ, Simple Truth Organic Baby Romaine 5 OZ, Simple Truth Organic Baby Kale 5 OZ, Simple Truth Organic Baby Spinach 5 OZ, Simple Truth Organic Power Greens 5 OZ, Simple Truth Organic 50/50 Blend Mix 16 OZ, and Simple Truth Organic Baby Arugula 5 OZ.
The Fresh Selections brand salads include: Fresh Selections Field Greens
8 OZ, Fresh Selection Hearts of Romaine 10 OZ, Fresh Selections Ranch House w/bcn Kit 10.6 OZ, Fresh Selections Classic Garden Salad 24 OZ, Fresh Selections Baby Spinach 6 OZ, Fresh Selections Classic Garden Salad 12 OZ, Fresh Selections Baby Spring Mix 10 OZ, Fresh Selections Veggie Blend 12 OZ, Fresh Selections Greener Supreme 12 OZ, Fresh Selections Shredded Iceberg 8 OZ, Fresh Selections Baby Spring Mix 5 OZ, Fresh Selections Coleslaw 16 OZ, Fresh Selections Leaf Romaine 10 OZ, Fresh Selections Baby Spinach 10 OZ, Fresh Selections 40/50 Blend 5.5 OZ, Fresh Selections Italian Style Blend 10 OZ, Fresh Selections American Blend 12 OZ, Fresh Selections Romaine Blend 10 OZ.
Sources:
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