Dole Recalls Contaminated Pre-Mixed Packaged Salads in Illinois

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Dole food company announced today that it would be recalling about 3,500 packaged salads due to bacterial contamination concerns. The recalled salads include Dole’s Italia Blend and Kroger Fresh Selections Italian Style Blend. No illnesses have yet to be reported from the consumption of the contaminated salad. Reports have indicated that these salad mixtures were distributed in twelve states including Illinois. The FDA reports the following products are contaminated: “2,880 cases of DOLE Italian Blend salad with Use-by Date of June 19, 2011, UPC code 7143000819 and Product Codes 0049A157201A, 0049A157201B, 0049A157202A, 0049A157202B, 0686A157202A, 0686A157202B and 442 cases of Kroger Fresh Selections Italian Style Blend salad with Use-by-Date of June 19, 2011, UPC code 1111091045 and Product Codes A157201A & A157201B.”

Reports have indicated that the salads may be contaminated with Lysteria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness. Listeria monocytogenes is one of the most virulent foodborne pathogens with 20 to 30 percent of clinical infections resulting in death. It is reportedly responsible for approximately 2,500 illnesses and 500 deaths in the United States annually. More information about the contaminated salad products can be found on the FDA website. Any with questions regarding the product recall is encouraged to contact Dole at (800) 356-3111.

If you have any questions regarding contaminated products or would otherwise like to speak with an attorney, please click here.