In a sweeping recall that has consumers checking their fridges nationwide, multiple brands including Dole have pulled salad and taco kits from shelves due to potential listeria contamination. The problem was traced back to cheese supplied by Rizo-López Foods, which was also responsible for a recall of products across stores like Walmart, Costco, and Safeway.
According to FOX 2 Detroit, the Dole salad kits were processed on the same line as cheese that had already been recalled for listeria concerns. Although not all Dole products are affected, the voluntary recall is specific to salad kits sold in various states, including Michigan.
The USA Today report highlights a growing list of products pulled from the market due to this recall, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded upon recently. Over five dozen items, which include black bean dip, burritos, and salads, may contain Rizo-López Foods cheese or may have come into contact with it, posing a risk of contamination.
Potentially infected with Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium linked to listeriosis, these food items pose a significant risk. This bacterial infection is particularly dangerous for the elderly, pregnant women, newborns, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms, as elaborated by 13 ON YOUR SIDE, may include fever, severe headaches, nausea, and diarrhea, with the more severe cases leading to miscarriages, stillbirths, or even fatalities.
This recall is tied to a multi-state outbreak traced back to 2014. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 26 people fell ill from the contaminated products, resulting in 23 hospitalizations and sadly two deaths, after consuming cheese from Rizo-López Foods, according to USA Today. Consumers who have purchased recalled products are urged to dispose of them immediately and to contact their healthcare provider if they experience any symptoms.
Concerned shoppers can direct their questions to the Dole Consumer Response Center at 800-356-3111 during specified business hours. The recall seems to serve as a stark reminder for consumers to stay vigilant about food safety and for producers to maintain stringent quality controls in the face of such invisible, yet potentially deadly, threats.
