The FDA announced that Dole Fresh Vegetables is recalling Dole-branded and private label salad kits, which were processed on the same line as a cheese that has been recalled by the manufacturer, Rizo-Lopez Foods, for the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.¹

The recall is being issued due to possible cross-contamination of cheese contained in certain masterpacks and potentially contaminated with the bacteria.¹

Just last week, The FDA announced that Rizo-López Foods (RLF) voluntarily recalled some of its specific dairy products, and that recall was associated with an ongoing, national listeria outbreak.² According to information shared with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and FDA, Rizo-López Foods may be the potential source of the outbreak.²

A listing of products subject to this recall include Dole, President’s Choice, and Marketside brands. The specific products, brand names, and lots are included in the table below. The product lot codes are located in the upper-right-hand corner of the package. Consumers who still have any of these products in their refrigerators or freezers are urged not to consume the product and to discard it immediately.

Table. Listing of recalled salad kits

Credit: FDA

Dole has said recalled salad items were distributed in the following states” AL, CA, CT, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NV, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, UT, VA, WA and WI. Additionally, these salads were distributed in Canada and include the following provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec.

In an update provided yesterday from CDC and FDA, the number of people affected by the outbreak has remained the same. There have been 26 illnesses, 23 hospitalizations, and 2 deaths. To get a full, updated listing of the affected cheese products and brand names, consumers can go here.

Listeria in healthy people may have short-term symptoms such as a fever, headache, stiffness, and gastrointestinal discomfort, including diarrhea. However, in children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems, this foodborne infection can be more severe and could be fatal in some cases. The infection can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.² For anyone who is suffering these symptoms after eating these products, they are recommended to contact a health care provider right away.

References

1. Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. Announces Voluntary Recall of Limited Number of Salad Kits Due to Possible Health Risk from Listeria Monocytogenes. FDA press statement. February 8, 2024. Accessed February 15, 2024.
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dole-fresh-vegetables-inc-announces-voluntary-recall-limited-number-salad-kits-due-possible-health

2. Rizo-López Foods, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Dairy Products Because of Possible Health Risk. FDA press statement. February 6, 2024. Accessed February 7, 2024.
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/rizo-lopez-foods-inc-voluntarily-recalls-dairy-products-because-possible-health-risk