Deadly Dole Listeria Outbreak Injures Sixteen People in Twenty States
Deadly Dole Listeria Outbreak
According to a news article posted on foodpoisoningbulletin.com, the FDA issued additional information about the deadly Dole listeria outbreak that killed two people and injured 16 in 20 states as of December 31, 2021. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has previously investigated this outbreak but has not been able to collect enough information to name a specific product or brand. The CDC’s investigation was reinitiated back in November 2021 when it received four new reports of illness.
In October 2021, the Georgia Department of Agriculture gathered a sample of prepackaged salad mix from a local supermarket. That salad mix sample tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Dole then issued a product recall in October 2021. Those recalled salad mix products are past their “Best if Used By” dates. According to the report, that positive sample was sent to labs for whole-genome sequencing. After the genome sequencing and investigation was finished, the pathogen matched the outbreak strain. The FDA is currently examining the facility that produced the positive product.
Following the positive result and subsequent investigation, Dole agreed to suspend operations at their Yuma, Arizona, and Bessemer City, North Carolina facilities. Dole also recalled all brands and products manufactured at those facilities. The affected salads have production lot codes that begin with the letter “Y” or “N” in the upper right-hand corner of the product’s packaging. The “best if used by” dates for the affected mixed salads are between November 30, 2021, to January 8, 2022. This recall does not affect whole head packaged lettuce.
The recall is urging consumers to check their refrigerator carefully to see if they have purchased the recalled salads. Those who have the recalled mixed salad are urged to throw the products away and to clean their refrigerator with a mild bleach solution.
The patient case count for the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak is:
- Idaho (One),
- Iowa (Two),
- Maryland (One),
- Michigan (One),
- Minnesota (One),
- Nevada (One),
- North Carolina (One),
- Ohio (Two),
- Oregon (One),
- Pennsylvania (One),
- Texas (Two),
- Utah (One), and
- Wisconsin (One)
The Listeria monocytogenes illness start dates range from August 16, 2014 to October 17, 2021. One Listeria monocytogenes illness case happened in 2014, and the rest of the Listeria monocytogenes cases happened between 2018 and 2021.
If you or a loved one consumed any of the recalled salad products and have become ill with listeriosis, seek medical attention as you or your loved one might be part of this deadly Dole Listeria outbreak.
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