Mixed Salad Recalled for Lysteria

Dole Fresh Vegetables has voluntarily recalled a specific set of prepackaged mixed salads after a random quality check tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria behind deadly listeriosis.

The products in question, various versions of the Dole Italian Blend (fresh selections Italian style blend, market side Italian style salad, etc.) was reportedly distributed to 15 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces. However, no illness have been associated with the products so far.

The recall is a voluntary retraction of the product from the market in the interest of preventing even the chance of a listeria infection among consumers. Dole has noted that the product is now two days past its "Use-By" date meaning that the product has likely already been removed from shelves prior to the recall. Still, Dole urges consumers to check their fridges for the products and to immediately discard it if found.

Listeria outbreaks are considered one of the more deadly bacterial infections that result from food consumption. Listeriosis causes fever, headache, confusion, and muscle aches. In pregnant women, it only causes fever and aches, but is infamous for frequently causing miscarriage, stillbirth, and premature delivery.

Food distriubutors, regulators, and the Centeres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)have been especially vigilant for listeria after a deadly listeriosis outbreak in 2011 claimed 33 lives, including one unborn child, according to the CDC. It was later discovered that whole cantelopes were the original source of the dangerous bacteria. A more recent listeriosis outbreak this past month in California and Maryland hospitalized seven people and resulted in one death. The culprit behind the infections was found to be a number of contaminated cheese products.

The CDC estimates that 1600 illnesses and 260 deaths due to listeriosis occur annually in the U.S., but that number has been declining with increased effectiveness of response time to an outbreak. Preventative measures , like the one take by Dole this week, certainly help in the fight to prevent infections.

Dole made a public announcement about the recal on March 13.