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Three more listeria infections linked to Dole salads appeared in New York, Missouri and Connecticut. At least sixteen people were hospitalized since last year in July because of a listeria infection caused by the consumption of a salad mixed in the Dole facility in Ohio.
The Facility in Ohio is Now Closed
The salads were sold under the names of Dole, Marketside, Fresh Selection, President’s Choice, Simple Truth and Little Salad Bar. After the last confirmed case of listeria infection linked to the Dole mixed salads, the facility situated in Springfield, Ohio, immediately ceased all production and emitted a recall for all of the salads.
It All Started in July, Last Year
The first listeria infection linked to the Dole mixed and packaged salads took place in July last year. Ever since then, at least, sixteen people were hospitalized, one of which died due to complications from the disease.
The CDC started to investigate the possible source in September, but only reached a conclusion this month. After thorough investigations, they found that the source of infection were the pre-packed salads sold by Dole.
The most recent listeria infection linked to Dole Salads was diagnosed and confirmed on the 3rd of January, current year.
An inspection that took place on Thursday concluded that the Springfield-based facility was using proper equipment and procedures to prevent any outbreak of illness. The origins of the listeria infections are still a mystery for the manufacturer since all of the equipment and personnel checked out.
The CDC Advises the Population to Check All Products before Consuming Them
In order to prevent additional infestations, the CDC urges the people to check the pre-packed salads before buying them, if any of them are under the name of Dole, Marketside, Fresh Selection, President’s Choice, Simple Truth and Little Salad Bar and are marked with the letter A in front of the manufacturing code it means that they are a part of the infected shipment.
Restaurants and supermarkets were also advised to check their produce and send back any salad packaging that fits the above-mentioned description.
Pre-packed and pre-washed fruits and vegetables were included in a “Top 6 foods a food poisoning expert wouldn’t eat” list because of the risk of e-Coli and listeria infestation. While the pre-packed kind could pose a serious threat to the general public, the authorities recommend the consumption of fruits and vegetables, but in their raw, unaltered state.
It is better to pick a dirty carrot, ruccola and some radishes, wash them and mix them in a healthy salad than saving ten minutes with the pre-packed version and contracting listeria in the process.
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