The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) advises consumers of Dole Italian Blend Salad that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The Food and Drug Administration initially reported that the affected salads were not distributed in Rhode Island; however, it was determined that the salads have been distributed to Rhode Island through Walmart’s distribution system in Maine and may have been distributed to other retailers. Consumers are advised to check their refrigerators for the product as they may have been sold in other stores.
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause foodborne illness in a person who eats a food item contaminated with it. Symptoms of infection may include fever, muscle aches, gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. If it spreads to the nervous system symptoms may include headache, stiff neck or confusion. The illness primarily impacts pregnant women and adults with weakened immune systems. Most healthy adults and children rarely become seriously ill.
The voluntary recall affects 2,880 cases of DOLE® Italian Blend salad with Use-by Date of June 19, 2011, UPC code 7143000819 and Product Codes 0049A157201A, 0049A157201B, 0049A157202A, 0049A157202B, 0686A157202A, 0686A157202B and 442 cases of Kroger Fresh Selections Italian Style Blend salad with Use-by-Date of June 19, 2011, UPC code 1111091045 and Product Codes A157201A & A157201B. No other Dole or Kroger salads are included in the recall. Only the specific Product Codes, UPC codes and June 19, 2011 Use-by-Date of Italian Blend salads identified above are included in the recall.
No illnesses have been reported in association with the recall.
Consumers who have any remaining product with these Product Codes should not consume it, but rather discard it.
For more information on food recalls, visit www.fda.gov