CDC: Two dead from listeria outbreak linked to Dole salads

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said two people have died from a listeria outbreak linked to Dole salads.

An investigation by the CDC found that 17 people were ill, 13 had been hospitalized and two died from the outbreak across 13 states.

Although the investigation is still ongoing, the CDC has linked the outbreak back to Dole salads that were sold under 11 brand names.

Ahold, Dole, HEB, Kroger, Lidl, Little Salad Bar, Marketside, Naturally Better, Nature’s Promise, President’s Choice and Simply Nature sold the mixed greens, garden salads, Caesar kits and other salads linked to the illness, the agency said.

The items are under recall, with recalled items having “Best used if by” dates from Nov. 30, 2021, to Jan. 9 of this year.

In the upper-right hand corner of the packages of the recalled items, the letters  “B,” “N,” “W” or “Y” will be at the start of the product lot code, the CDC said. 

It is one of two investigations of listeria outbreaks the agency is undertaking. The other outbreak is linked to Fresh Expressed packaged salads.

“Throughout the FDA and CDC investigations, Dole provided full access and transparency into all of our facilities, our processes, and our operations. Delivering safe, high-quality fruits and vegetables is our top priority, and we are deeply saddened and sorry that we did not meet our standard,” Dole said in a statement to The Hill.

“We are confident that we have identified and corrected the issue and we continue to further improve our growing and processing sanitation protocols beyond industry standards,” the company added.

— Updated at 3:08 p.m.