Kroger, Wal-Mart Bagged Salad Recall Issued Due to Listeria Contamination

Fears of listeria poisoning have led to the recall of more than 1,000 cases of Dole bagged salad sold under the Kroger and Wal-Mart labels at stores in six states.

The bagged salad recall was announced by the FDA on June 22, after a random sample tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, which is a bacteria that could lead to listeriosis food poisoning. However, there have been no illnesses reported in association with the recalled salad bags.

The salads were sold under the Wal-Mart Marketside and Kroger Fresh Selections labels. They were distributed to Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

The recall affects 1,077 cases of bagged salad produced by Dole Fresh Vegetables, including:

• Kroger Fresh Selections Greener Supreme coded N158 211B 1613 KR04 with Use-by date of June 19, UPC 11110 91039.
• Kroger Fresh Selections Leafy Romaine coded N158 111B KR11 with Use-by date of June 19, UPC 11110 91046.
• Wal Mart Marketside Leafy Romaine coded N158111B with Use-by date of June19, UPC code 81131 02781.

The Use-by date and product code are located on the packages’ upper right corner and the UPC code is located on the back of the package, below the bar code.

Listeria infection poses a particular risk for children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. For pregnant women, illness from Listeria bacteria can cause miscarriages and still births.

Blood tests are usually required to diagnose listeriosis, which presents with symptoms of muscle aches, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, severe headaches and fever. If the bacteria spreads from the intestines to the bloodstream and nervous system, it could cause meningitis and other complications.

Any consumers who have the salad, which is now beyond its use-by date, should not consume them, but should throw them away. Consumers with questions can call Dole Food Company Consumer Response at (800) 356-3111.