The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] is investigating two outbreaks of the bacterial foodborne illness listeria traced to packaged mixed salad products. One of the outbreaks, linked to packaged salads produced by Dole, has resulted in two deaths.
The CDC reported that there have been 17 illnesses and 13 hospitalizations traced to Dole products including mixed greens, garden salads, Caesar kits, and many other types of salads in bags or clamshells.
Recalls of the products began at the end of December.
The packaged salads are sold under several brand names besides Dole, including Ahold, HEB, Kroger, Lidl, Little Salad Bar, Marketside, Naturally Better, Nature's Promise, President's Choice, and Simply Nature.
Which Salad Mixes Were in the Recall?
The salads involved had “Best if used by” dates from November 30, 2021, through January 9, 2022.
They also had product lot codes beginning with the letter “B,” “N,” “W,” or “Y.”
Dole posted voluntary recall notices with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA] on December 22, 2021, and on January 7, 2022, with the full list of recalled salads.
Another Salad Recall and Listeria Outbreak
The CDC is also continuing its ongoing investigation of a separate listeria outbreak tied to Fresh Express packaged salads.
On December 20, 2021, the FDA announced a recall of several brands of packaged salad, including Fresh Express, Bowl & Basket, Giant Eagle, Little Salad Bar, Marketside, O Organics, Signature Farms, Simply Nature, Weis Fresh from the Field, and Wellsley Farms Organic.
The CDC reported that the outbreak has resulted in 10 illnesses and hospitalizations, and one death across 8 states.
What Is Listeria?
According to the CDC, the listeria, or listeriosis, infection is caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Foods that do not require cooking are the most common culprits. They may include raw vegetables, unpasteurized milk or foods made with unpasteurized milk, and certain processed foods.
An estimated 1,600 people get listeriosis each year, and about 260 die. Among the most at risk are pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems, and the elderly.
“Listeria can be very dangerous, and I think particularly so in older persons, because it clearly can cause systemic illness with bloodstream infections,” William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease specialist and professor of preventive medicine and health policy at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee, said when a 2020 outbreak was traced to deli meats.
In addition to diarrhea, nausea, and fever, patients may experience fever, chills, and muscle aches. Mayo Clinic cautions that listeria infection can spread to your nervous system, producing headache, stiff neck, confusion or changes in alertness, loss of balance, and convulsions.
Listeria symptoms may appear soon after eating contaminated food, but the first signs of infection can take up to 30 days or more to develop.
Listeriosis is the illness caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. If two or more people are sickened by genetically identical strains of the bacteria, there is an outbreak. Below are 10 of the most recent outbreaks. If you think you or a family member are part of a Listeria outbreak, contact our attorneys for a 100% free consultation to determine if you have a case. Food safety attorney Eric Hageman leads a team of lawyers that help clients affected by Listeria food poisoning.
Contact our Listeria Food Safety Lawyers Online
Phone: 888-377-8900 | Text: 612-261-0856Recent Multi-state Listeria Outbreaks:
Dole Salad Listeria Outbreak
Dole issued a recall in December 2021 for salads produced in North Carolina and Arizona and distributed in multiple states. This outbreak has sickened at least 16 people and led to at least 2 deaths so far. These two plants have been implicated in possible Listeria contamination illnesses going back as far as 2014.
Fresh Express Salad Listeria Outbreak
Attorneys at Pritzker Hageman are currently investigating a Listeria outbreak linked to the December 2021 recall of Fresh Express salad produced at their Streamwood, Illinois plant. The recall has included all Fresh Express salads produced in that plant up though December 20th, 2021. Listeria illnesses have been associated with the Streamwood plant going back to 2016. This plant has has a history of salad contamination problems and has been linked to multiple Cyclospora outbreaks as well.
Tyson Brand Cooked Chicken Linked to Previously Announced Precooked Chicken Listeria Outbreak
A precooked chicken Listeria outbreak identified on July 2, 2021 has sickened at least 3 people and led to the fatality of at least 1 person. Tyson brand cooked chicken has been linked to this Listeria outbreak and over 9 million pounds of chicken has been recalled so far. This chicken was also used in additional prepared foods such as chicken salad sandwiches and Caeser salads.
EL Abuelito Queso Fresco, Soft Cheeses Listeria Outbreak
An ongoing Listeria outbreak associated with queso fresco and other cheeses has sickened 11 people in Connecticut, Maryland, New York and Virginia. Patients reported eating queso fresco and fresh, soft cheeses such as queso blanco, and queso panela in the weeks before they became ill. Our Listeria lawyers are currently investigating this outbreak.
The CDC announced on October 23, 2020 that a three-state Listeria outbreak linked to Italian-style deli meat had sickened 10 people one of whom died. The people sickened, in Florida, Massachusetts and New York, were tested for Listeria on dates ranging from August 6, 2020, to October 3, 2020. All of them were hospitalized.
Enoki Mushrooms Listeria Outbreak in 17 States
The CDC announced on March 3, 2020 that Sun Hong Foods brand Enoki Mushrooms were being recalled after they were linked to 36 cases of Listeria, including 30 hospitalizations and 4 deaths between November 23, 2016 – December 13, 2019.
Hard-Boiled Eggs Linked to Listeria in 5 States
13 State Listeria Outbreak Likely Linked to Cooked Chicken
Genetic testing has identified a likely link between a 13-state Listeria outbreak and cooked chicken widely distributed to restaurants in the United States and Canada. The outbreak is likely linked to a slew of Listeria recalls associated with Tip Top Poultry frozen, cooked, diced, or shredded ready-to-eat chicken products. The recalled chicken was manufactured by E.A. Sween Company, which received the chicken from two of their suppliers, the Suter Company and Baja Foods, to which Tip Top is an ingredient provider. The Listeria lawyers at Pritzker Hageman are representing a client who has been hospitalized with Listeria after eating Tip Top chicken salad purchased from Sam’s Club in Papillion, Nebraska.
Deli Meat and Cheese Listeria Outbreak
Our food safety attorneys investigated a Listeria outbreak in delis in multiple states that has been ongoing for over two years. This outbreak has been linked to multiple meats and cheeses and, in at least some cases, is likely spreading due to cross-contamination.
Long Phung Pork Rolls Listeria Outbreak
Our law firm investigated a Listeria outbreak linked to Long Phung pork rolls. Four illnesses were reported in Louisiana, Michigan, Tennessee, and Texas from July 1, 2017, to October 24, 2018. Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicated that Long Phung pork products are the source of this outbreak.
On November 20, 2018, 165368 C. Corporation, doing business as Long Phung Food Products, issued a recall for ready-to-eat pork products due to possible Listeria contamination.
Listeria Contamination is an Ongoing, Often Long-Term Problem
Listeria outbreaks have occurred among many other products in the past ten years as well. Without proper sanitation and monitoring, Listeria can linger in food production and packaging facilities for many years, leading to ongoing contamination, illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths. Some examples going back to 2014, include:
Johnson County Ham Listeria Outbreak
A Listeria outbreak in Virginia [3 people sickened] and North Carolina [one person sickened] was linked to ham products made by Johnston County Hams, Inc. facility in Smithfield, North Carolina. The four people were sickened by the same strain of Listeria bacteria over more than a year: July of 2017 [1]; June of 2018 [2]; and August of 2018 [1]. Outbreak investigation laboratory testing determined that samples of ham products collected from the Johnston County Hams facility in 2016 and in early 2018 were contaminated with the outbreak strain of Salmonella.
Vulto Creamery Raw Milk Cheese
Packaged Lettuce Salad Processed by Dole
Prompted by this outbreak, Dole issued a recall of all Dole-branded and private label packaged salads processed at its Springfield, Ohio production facility. No other products were involved in the recall. A Dole lawsuit for Listeria from lettuce salad will seek money damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, and other compensation.
Blue Bell Ice Cream
At least 10 people from 4 states were sickened in a Listeria outbreak linked to Blue Bell Creameries ice cream, according to the CDC. The 5 people in Kansas were all sickened from “Scoops” eaten at Via Christie Hospital in Wichita, Kansas. The outbreak was over as of June 10, 2015.
Apples Processed by Bidart Bros. and Made into Caramel Apples
Eleven of the cases of listeriosis were associated with a pregnancy [occurred in a pregnant woman or her newborn baby]. One miscarriage was reported.
Three of the people sickened were otherwise healthy children ages 5 to 15. They all developed meningitis. It is very rare for a healthy child to be severely sickened by this pathogen.
Seven of the people sickened in the outbreak died. The CDC determined that at least 3 of these deaths were caused by Listeria.
Prompted by the outbreak, Bidart Bros. recalled all of the company’s Granny Smith and Gala apples still available in the marketplace in January of 2015. Three brands of caramel apples were linked to the outbreak: Carnival, Happy Apple and Merb’s.
Soft Cheese Made by Queseria Bendita
Three people in Washington were diagnosed with listeriosis after eating soft cheese made by Queseria Bendita, a Yakima, WA company. One of the illnesses was pregnancy-associated. Two people were hospitalized, one of them died.
Prompted by this outbreak, on January 23, 2015, the company issued a recall of all lots of Panela, Queso Fresco, Requeson, Cotija fresh soft cheese products and Sour Cream [all best-by dates]. These products were distributed to Hispanic grocery stores in Washington and Oregon, and the company sold the products from its on-site store in Yakima, Washington.
Sprouts Processed by Wholesome Soy
From June through August of 2014, 5 people were sickened in 2 states: Illinois [4] and Michigan [1]. The outbreak was linked to mung bean sprouts produced by Wholesome Soy Products, Inc. The outbreak strain of Listeria was found in both sprouts isolates and environmental isolates collected at the production facility. All five of the people sickened were hospitalized, two of them died.