Summer Salad Season Brings FDA Warning

Photo: Cook-Oui Chef

It's summertime, and that means salads and fresh vegetables will be flying off the supermarket shelves. Keeping an eye on contaminants in this fresh food is just as important as keeping an eye on calories.  On June 22, 2011, a possible contamination from Listeria monocytogenes has prompted DOLE® Fresh Vegetables to announce a voluntary recall of two fresh food products.


The first victim is 2,880 cases of DOLE® Italian Blend salad.
The affected packages are marked with a Use-by Date of June 19, 2011.  The UPC code to look for is 7143000819. It is printed on the back of the bag, beneath the barcode. The recall is for Product Codes 0049A157201A, 0049A157201B, 0049A157202A, 0049A157202B, 0686A157202A, 0686A157202B. The product code is printed on the upper right-hand corner of the packaging.

Victim number two is 442 cases of Kroger Fresh Selections Italian Style Blend salad. The Use-by-Date for the Kroger product is June 19, 2011. The UPC code to look for is 1111091045.  It is printed on the back of the bag, beneath the barcode. The Product Codes  for the recall on this item are A157201A & A157201B, also printed on the upper right-hand corner of the packaging.

Photos: FDA

According to the FDA recall notice, "... these products were distributed in twelve U.S. states (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Wisconsin) and three Canadian provinces (New Brunswick, Ontario and Quebec).


Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium, can cause illness mainly in pregnant women or adults with compromised immune systems.  Symptoms might include fever, muscle aches, stomach cramps, nausea or diarrhea. In some more serious cases, it has been known to spread to the nervous system resulting in headache, stiff neck or confusion. 


Take a look in your fridge and check these dates and codes to be sure any DOLE® or Kroger Italian Blend Salad packages are not affected.  Retailers should have already removed this product from their shelves, but its best to check before you purchase.  If you find that you do have a product that matches the codes and dates listed above, return the product to your Retailer for a replacement or refund. You can contact Dole Food Company Consumer Response Center at (800) 356-3111. They operate Monday -Friday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm (PDT).