Dole Fresh Vegetables just recalled some of its salads for potential Salmonella contamination, said the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).
Dole Fresh Vegetables, in response to the possible contamination, is recalling 756 cases of DOLE® Seven Lettuces salad that bear a Use-by Date of April 11, 2012, UPC code 71430 01057, and Product Codes 0577N089112A and 0577N089112B. The Product Code and Use-by Date can be found in the upper right-hand corner of the package; the UPC code appears on the back of the package, below the barcode. The recalled salads were distributed to Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
A sample of Seven Lettuces salad revealed a positive result for Salmonella in a random sample test collected and conducted by the State of New York. No other Dole salads are included in the recall.
To date, no illnesses have been reported; however, it can take some time from consumption of a contaminated product to manifestation of symptoms.
Dole advises consumers in possession of the recalled salads to discard the product. The Dole Food Company Consumer Response Center can be reached, toll-free, at 1.800.356.3111, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PDT), Monday through Friday.
Dole advises retailers to check their inventories and store shelves to confirm that none of the recalled Dole salads are present or available for purchase by consumers or in warehouse inventories. Dole Fresh Vegetables customer service representatives are contacting retailers and are also confirming that the recalled product is not in the stream of commerce.
The most common symptoms of Salmonella poisoning—salmonellosis—are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever, with symptoms manifesting, usually, within six to 72 hours. Additional symptoms include chills, headache, nausea, and vomiting that can last up to seven days. The illness usually lasts four to seven days; however, in some, the organism can invade the bloodstream, becoming so severe that hospitalization is required. Sometimes, infection with the Salmonella pathogen can result in, and produce more severe or chronic illnesses.
Salmonella can be dangerous, sometimes deadly, leaving sufferers with serious life-long health issues. Salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial food borne illnesses, can be especially life threatening to those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly, and persons with HIV infection or who are undergoing chemotherapy.
