Getty Images
CDC Closes Investigation Linking Salads to Listeria, FDA Recalls More
After the CDC closed investigations linking a listeria outbreak to packaged salads and raw leafy greens, the FDA issued four recall notices for the additional packaged salad products due to contamination.
A notice issued by the CDC in early April 2022 closed the investigation linking a listeria outbreak to multiple kinds of packaged salads and leafy greens produced by Dole. Since the initial announcement, the FDA has published four separate recalls on packaged salad products due to documented and potential listeria contamination.
On April 4, 2023, Revolution Farms in Caledonia, Michigan, issued a voluntary recall on multiple salads and raw greens packaged between March 3, 2023, and March 11, 2023. According to the recall notice, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development identified Listeria monocytogenes during a random sample text. The products were sold in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Wisconsin.
Two days later, on April 6, 2023, Revolution Farms expanded the recall in an updated notice published by the FDA. The update added food service products to the recall, noting that many 3 lb bulk bags of greens may also be contaminated.
The following day, Fresh Express Incorporated joined Revolution Farms, issuing a recall of its Fresh Express Caesar Salad Kit, Chopped Kit Chipotle Cheddar, and the Publix Makoto Honey Ginger Salad Kit. Once again, the recalls were connected to listeria contaminations detected by the Georgia Department of Agriculture during random testing.
On the same day, Meijer, which Revolution Farms supplies, also issued a notice recalling many of their premade salad distributed under the Fresh From Meijer label. This notice explained that the product recall was part of the larger revolution farms recall.
Symptoms of listeria vary but may include fever, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, headaches, seizures, loss of balance, and more. Although listeria can be treated with antibiotics, roughly 5% of non-pregnant individuals infected with invasive listeria will die.
According to the CDC, the earlier listeria outbreak, linked to Dole packaged salads, has contributed to 18 illnesses, with most patients hospitalized. Among the 16 hospitalizations, three cases resulted in death.
Considering the series of listeria infections, outbreaks, and recalls, the CDC recommends washing hands and all surfaces when preparing leafy greens, cleaning them thoroughly, cooking leafy greens when possible, separating the vegetables from raw meat, poultry, and seafood, and refrigerating the greens within two hours.
