Dole voluntarily recalled a number of products due to a possible listeria contamination.
The company has recalled "Dole Italian Blend (UPC 7143000819), Fresh Selections Italian Style Blend (UPC 1111091045), Little Salad Bar Italian Salad (UPC 4149811014) and Marketside Italian Style Salad (UPC 8113102780) coded A058201A or B, with Use-by date of March 12, 2014," a news release reported.
No illnesses have been reported so far as a result of the contamination. Dole is currently working with regulatory officials to resolve the issue.
Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that causes food poisoning. Symptoms of infections include "fever, muscle aches, gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea," the news release reported. Infections are most prevalent in pregnant women and adults who have a compromised immune system.
The recall was issued after a single sample of Dole Italian salad tested positive for listeria in a random sample test conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
The product is already one day past its expiration date so it is unlikely the product is still on retail shelves. It is still suggested that retailers check their shelves for the recently recalled products.
"Dole Fresh Vegetables customer service representatives are already contacting retailers and are in the process of confirming that the recalled product is being removed from the stream of commerce," the news release reported.
No other salads have been included in the recall.
The salads were distributed in "Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia," and the Canadian provinces New Brunswick, Ontario and Quebec, the news release reported.
"Consumers who have any remaining product with these Product Codes should not consume it, but rather discard it. Retailers and consumers with questions may call the Dole Food Company Consumer Response Center at (800) 356-3111, which is open 8:00 am to 3:00 pm (PT) Monday - Friday," the news release reported.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests rinsing and scrubbing produce and keeping meat and produce separate. Cooking meat thoroughly can also lower the risk of listeria infection.
