Listeria can cause a serious, life-threatening illness
Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc., is temporarily suspending operations at its Springfield, Ohio production facility, and is voluntarily withdrawing from the market all Dole- branded and private label packaged salads processed at that location (see the product list at http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/)
Products subject to the voluntary withdrawal are identified with a product code beginning with the letter “A” in the upper right-hand corner of the package.
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). Media inquiries should be directed to Bil Goldfield at 818-874-4647.
When two or more people get the same illness from the same contaminated food or drink, the event is called a foodborne disease outbreak.
Consumers should not eat packaged salads produced at the Dole processing facility in Springfield, Ohio.
- The packaged salads produced in this facility were sold under various brand names including:
- Dole
- Fresh Selections
- Simple Truth
- Marketside
- The Little Salad Bar
- President’s Choice Organics
- Consumers can identify these packaged salads 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.
- This advice is particularly important for consumers at higher risk for listeriosis, including pregnant women, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems.
Restaurants should not serve, and retailers should not sell, packaged salads produced at the Dole processing facility in Springfield, Ohio.
- The packaged salads produced in this facility were sold under various brand names including:
- Dole
- Fresh Selections
- Simple Truth
- Marketside
- The Little Salad Bar
- President’s Choice Organics
- Restaurants and retailers can identify these packaged salads by the letter “A” at the beginning of the manufacturing code found on the package.
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.
