Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. Announces Voluntary Recall of Limited Number of Salad Kits Due to Possible Health Risk from Listeria monocytogenes

Rhea-AI Summary

Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is voluntarily recalling a limited number of salad kits due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recall affects Dole, President’s Choice, and Marketside brands, distributed in multiple states and Canadian provinces. The products were processed on the same line as a cheese that has been recalled by the manufacturer, Rizo-Lopez Foods, for possible Listeria contamination. No specific illnesses have been reported, but consumers are urged to discard the products immediately.

Insights

Food Safety Specialist

From a food safety perspective, the voluntary recall of Dole Fresh Vegetables salad kits due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination is a critical measure to prevent public health risks. Listeria is a pathogen that can lead to severe illness, particularly in vulnerable populations such as the elderly, young children and immunocompromised individuals. The seriousness of this issue is underscored by the fact that Listeria can lead to conditions like meningitis and, in pregnant women, may cause miscarriages or stillbirths.

The swift action to recall products potentially affected by cross-contamination demonstrates adherence to food safety protocols and regulatory compliance. However, the impact on consumer confidence and the potential financial implications for Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. should not be underestimated. The recall, while necessary, could lead to short-term revenue losses and additional costs associated with the recall process itself. In the long-term, Dole may need to invest in enhanced quality control measures to prevent future occurrences, which could affect their operating margins.

Supply Chain Analyst

Examining the recall from a supply chain perspective, the distribution list indicates a wide geographic spread across multiple U.S. states and Canadian provinces. This suggests a complex supply chain and the potential for significant logistical challenges in executing the recall effectively. The recall's scope, affecting both Dole-branded and private label salad kits, indicates that the contamination issue may have originated from a common supplier, in this case, Rizo-Lopez Foods.

For stakeholders, the key concern will be the efficiency with which Dole manages the recall process to minimize disruption. Retailers will bear the immediate burden, needing to swiftly remove products from shelves and manage inventory. The recall may also prompt a review of supplier relationships and quality assurance processes, potentially leading to longer-term changes in supply chain management.

Public Health Analyst

The public health implications of this recall are significant. Although no specific illnesses have been reported, the potential for Listeria contamination poses a real threat. Public health agencies and Dole Fresh Vegetables must communicate effectively to ensure that consumers are aware of the risks and the necessary actions to take if they have purchased the affected products.

Monitoring the situation for any reported cases of listeriosis linked to these products will be crucial. Public health entities may use this incident as a case study to improve food safety monitoring and outbreak response strategies. The recall serves as a reminder of the importance of robust surveillance systems and the need for ongoing education on foodborne illnesses and prevention measures.

MONTEREY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is voluntarily recalling from the market a limited number of Dole-branded and private label salad kits described below, which were processed on the same line as a cheese that has been recalled by the manufacturer, Rizo-Lopez Foods, for the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes. (https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/rizo-lopez-foods-inc-voluntarily-recalls-dairy-products-because-possible-health-risk)

(Graphic: Dole)

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

This recall notification is being issued due to the potential for cross-contamination of cheese contained in certain masterpacks by cheese potentially contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes from our packaged cheese supplier. At this time, we are unaware of any specific illnesses associated with our products. or by other purchasers of their recalled cheese.

A listing of products subject to this recall is set forth below and includes Dole, President’s Choice, and Marketside brands. The product lot codes are located in the upper-right-hand corner of the package. Consumers who still have any of these products in their refrigerators or freezers are urged not to consume the product and to discard it immediately.

Recalled salad items were distributed in the states of AL, CA, CT, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NV, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, UT, VA, WA and WI. Additionally, these salads were distributed in the following Canadian provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec.

No other Dole products are part of these voluntary recalls.

Dole retailers have been advised to check store shelves and warehouse inventories to confirm that no recalled product is available for purchase by consumers.

Retailer and consumer questions about the voluntary recalls should be directed to the Dole Consumer Response Center at 800-356-3111, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

Dole Fresh Vegetables is coordinating closely with regulatory officials.

Brand	Product Description	UPC	GTIN	Lot Code Starting With	BIUB
Dole	Chopped Kit Avocado Ranch	71430000915	10071430000912	W019- W036	02/03/2024-02/20/2024
				N019-N036	02/03/2024-02/20/2024
Dole	Chop Kit Avocado Ranch Chop Kit Ranch A L'Avocat	71430000922	10071430000929	W022- W036	2024 FE 06 - 2024 FE 20
Dole	Premium Kit Southwest Salad	71430017012	10071430017019	W022- W036	02/04/2024-02/18/2024
				N022- N036	02/04/2024- 02/18/2024
Dole	Cajun Ranch Chopped Kit	71430002063	10071430002060	W029- W036	02/11/2024- 02/18/2024
				N022- N036	02/04/2024- 02/18/2024
Dole	Premium Kit Endless Summer	71430010730	10071430010737	W022- W036	02/04/2024- 02/18/2024
				N023- N036	02/05/2024-02/19/2024
Dole	Supreme Kit Southwest Salad Supreme Kit Salade Du Sud-Ouest	71430017111	10071430017118	W020- W036	2024 FE 03 - 2024 FE 18
President's Choice	Southwest Salad Kit Sud-Ouest Kit de Salade	60383023195	10060383023192	W034-W036	2024 FE 17 - 2024 FE 18
				B018- B024	2024 FE 03 - 2024 FE 09
Marketside	Chopped Salad Kit Bacon Ranch Crunch	681131305440	10681131305447	B020- B036	02/05/2024- 02/21/2024

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208760695/en/

Media Contact: Bil Goldfield

Director, Corporate Communications

Dole Food Company, Inc.

818-874-4647

Source: Dole Food Company, Inc.

FAQ

What is the reason for the Dole salad kits recall?

The recall is due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination from cheese processed on the same line as the salad kits.

Which brands are affected by the Dole salad kits recall?

The recall affects Dole, President’s Choice, and Marketside brands.

In which states were the recalled salad items distributed?

The recalled salad items were distributed in AL, CA, CT, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NV, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, UT, VA, WA, and WI.

What should consumers do if they have the recalled products?

Consumers are urged not to consume the products and to discard them immediately.

Have any specific illnesses been associated with the recalled products?

At this time, there are no specific illnesses associated with the products.