Bagged salad recalled in 10 states after positive listeria test

Some Dole salad bags are being recalled after testing proved the presence of listeria monocytogenes, which can cause deadly infections, according to a release last week from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The recalled salads include the 24-ounce Dole Garden Salad, 24-ounce Marketside Classic Salad, 12-ounce Kroger Brand Garden Salad and the 12-ounce Salad Classics Garden Salad. Ten states are affected by the Dole Fresh Vegetables recall: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia. 

Listeria can cause serious and potentially deadly infections in people with weakened immune systems and  can cause healthy people to experience symptoms including high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. The FDA warns a Listeria infection can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The recall was announced after a single sample of garden salad tested positive for listeria monocytogenes in a random sample test conducted by the Department of Agriculture in Georgia.

So far, no illnesses have been reported as a result of contamination from the salads, the release said.

The FDA noted the products are now past their “best if used by” date and should no longer be on shelves, though consumers are advised to check their products at home.