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Three people have died, and 22 people were hospitalized after ingesting salad contaminated with the deadly bacteria listeria.
Dole and Fresh Express recalled packaged salads after two listeria outbreaks
were reported across 18 states.The products were recalled on Dec. 20 after an outbreak was detected on Dec. 16 by the Michigan Department of Agriculture in a Fresh Express Sweet Hearts salad package.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that three deaths and 22 hospitalizations were caused by listeria. As a result, Dole has recalled all packaged salads with use-by dates of Nov. 30 until Jan. 8 of next year. Dole noted that Caesar salad kits, mixed greens and other packaged salads should not be consumed.
Fresh Express recalled packaged salads from their brands Giant Eagle, Fresh Express, Bowl & Basket, Little Salad Bar, Marketside, O Organics, Signature Farms, Simply Nature, Weis Fresh from the Field and Wellsley Farms Organic. The company recalled all packaged salads with codes between Z324 to Z350.
The listeria outbreak in salads follows a pork recall due to listeria on Dec. 11. More than two million pounds were recalled by Alexander & Hornung.
Listeria causes listeriosis which is fatal to specific patient groups. Symptoms include confusion, diarrhea, fevers, loss of balance, muscle aches, headaches, stiff necks and convulsions.
The disease is also dangerous for pregnant women because it can cause them to miscarry, suffer premature deliveries and/or stillbirths. Listeriosis can also kill the newborn and is equally detrimental to people with weak immune systems.
The CDC recommends cleaning any surface where the packaged salads touched, especially the refrigerator, with hot, soapy water and using bleach in the water is also recommended. They also recommend throwing out other items stored with the contaminated packaged salad because listeria can quickly spread to other foods and washing your hands immediately after cleaning any contaminated areas.