Listeriosis worries spark recall for Dole, PC Organic salads
No confirmed illnesses associated with recall, Canadian Food Inspection Agency says
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall warning for certain Dole and PC Organics brand packaged salads over possible listeriosis contamination.
According to the CFIA, no confirmed illnesses have been associated with the consumption of these products, but the Public Health Agency of Canada is currently investigating an outbreak of listeriosis in six eastern provinces.
The outbreak is believed to be linked with a similar one in the United States, where 12 people have been sent to hospital, one of whom died.
The recall affects 48 different Dole packaged chopped salads, salad blends and kits, and nine different PC Organics brand leafy greens.
The products were sold in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec. The agency says there is a possibility the products were also sold nationally.
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes is not easily detectable: Food might look and smell fine but can still cause illness.
Listeriosis symptoms include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headaches and neck stiffness. Infection can be fatal in severe cases.
The recall applies to all products made at Dole's facility in Springfield, Ohio. Affected products can be identified by a product code beginning with the letter A.
The CFIA says any recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased.
For a complete list of the affected products, visit the CFIA's recall page.
