3 Dead and 22 Hospitalized After Eating Packaged Salad Contaminated With Listeria

Three people have died, and multiple people were hospitalized after eating salad products from separate companies that were contaminated with listeria.

The major bacteria outbreak has impacted Fresh Express and Dole. Both company’s packaged salad offerings have been linked to the deadly cases that have spread across 18 states. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in addition to the three people who lost their lives, 22 had to seek emergency medical care. Fresh Express is recalling all salads with codes Z324 through Z350. Dole is recalling all salads with use-by dates from November 30th, 2021, through January 8th, 2022.

Fresh Express also recalled Giant Eagle, Little Salad Bar, Bowl & Basket, Marketside, Signature Farms, Simply Nature, O Organics, Weis Fresh from the Field, and Wellsley Farms Organic.

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can lead to a severe infection known as listeriosis, which kills nearly 260 people a year in the United States. Listeriosis can be deadly for young children, elderly adults, or people with compromised immune systems. Symptoms include headaches, neck stiffness, confusion, and fever. Pregnant women may experience flu-like symptoms. Some of the states where the listeria has been reported are Illinois, Virginia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

Anyone who has purchased their recalled salad products should immediately throw them away and sanitize their refrigerator.