Buzz
If you recently bought bagged salads, whether from your grocery run or delivery, be sure to check the label. Some of these products are being recalled due to contamination risks from Listeria monocytogenes, as stated in an announcement by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
And if this seems familiar, it's not a case of déjà vu. In addition to the current recall, Dole Fresh Vegetables previously issued voluntary recalls of their bagged salads in both October and December 2021 due to Listeria concerns. If you've continued buying these salads since then, here's what you need to know about the latest recall.
Reason for the Recall of Dole Salads
This time, the issue lies with the machinery. Specifically, during testing of the equipment used to harvest raw iceberg lettuce, Dole discovered Listeria monocytogenes. So far, no illnesses have been linked to these recalled bagged salads. Furthermore, no other Dole products, including their other fresh produce, are involved in this recall and remain safe to eat, according to the FDA.
Which Salad Products Are Affected by the Recall?
Dole processes all 72 types of packaged salads included in the recall, but these products were also sold under various store brands such as Kroger, Aldi, Walmart, and others. In addition to Dole, the brands affected by this recall include Marketside, President’s Choice, Kroger, Little Salad Bar, and HEB. A complete list of the affected products—along with brand names, sizes, and UPC codes—is available on the FDA website.
All the recalled Dole-branded and private label packaged salads were processed at the company’s production plants in Springfield, Ohio, and Soledad, California, and contain iceberg lettuce.
How to Spot Recalled Salad Products
If you have any of the recalled products listed on the FDA website in your fridge, check the product lot code on the upper right corner of the package (see image below). If the code starts with the letter “W” and the “Best if Used By” date is between Dec. 22, 2021 and Jan. 9, 2022, then it is part of the recall. Similarly, products with a code beginning with “B” and a “Best if Used By” date between Dec. 23, 2021 and Jan. 8, 2022 are also affected.
The recalled salad products were distributed across Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin, as well as in Canadian provinces like Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.
What to Do if You Have Recalled Salad Products
The FDA advises consumers to immediately dispose of any affected products. While the FDA doesn’t explicitly mention this, you can also return the recalled items to the store where you bought them for a full refund. If you have consumed any of the recalled salads and are experiencing illness, reach out to your healthcare provider to report your symptoms and get the necessary care.
For any inquiries regarding the voluntary recalls, you can contact the Dole Consumer Response Center at 800-356-3111, available Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. PT.
