Amid reports of two ongoing deadly Listeria outbreaks linked to packaged salads, it’s important for consumers to remember that symptoms of a Listeria infection can take as long as 70 days to develop. And that pregnant women with Listeria infections can suffer miscarriage or stillbirth even if the symptoms they experience are mild.
- Symptoms of a Listeria infection include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, muscle stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced both ongoing packaged salad outbreaks on December 22, 2021, and the associated recalls were issued between December 20, 2021, and January 7, 2022. Though all of these products are past their “best by” dates, symptoms of a Listeria infection could still be weeks away from materializing. Consumers who ate a tainted salad in early January might not develop symptoms of a Listeria infection until mid-March.
Earlier this week, the CDC updated the Listeria outbreak linked to Dole packages salads. That outbreak now includes 17 illnesses and two fatalities.
- Salads recalled in connection with his outbreak were sold under the brand names Ahold, Dole, Kroger, Lidl, Little Salad Bar, Marketside, Naturally Better, Nature’s Promise, and Simply Nature.
- Stores that sold these recalled salads include: ALDI, Food Lion Giant, Hannaford, HEB, Kroger, Lidl, Loblaws (in Canada), Schnucks, Stop & Shop, Walmart, and Winn Dixie.
Consumers who have purchased prepackaged salad recently should check recall information carefully.
The other ongoing Listeria outbreak is linked to Fresh Express salads. That outbreak includes 10 illnesses and one fatality.
On December 20, 2021, Fresh Express issued a recall for salads produced at its facility in Streamwood, IL. with product codes Z324 through Z350.
- These salads were sold under the Fresh Express brand name and store brand names at BJ’s, Weis Markets, ALDI, Albertsons, Walmart, GiantEagle, and ShopRite.
- These store brands include Wellsley Farms, Weis, Simply Nature, Signature Farms, O Organics, Marketside, Market District, Giant Eagle, and Bowl & Basket.
Consumers who have purchased these salads should check recall information carefully. Anyone who consumed a recalled salad should monitor themselves for symptoms of a Listeria infection for 70 days from the time the product was consumed.
Experienced Listeria Lawyers
If you developed a Listeria infection after eating salad produced by Fresh Express or Dole and would like to discuss your legal options, please contact our Listeria lawyers. Our Food Safety Team has more experience handling Listeria lawsuits than any other law firm in the country securing some of the largest Listeria settlements in U.S. history including a recent award of $6.4 million.
You can reach us by calling 1-888-377-8900, sending a text to 612-261-0856, or by completing the form below. There is no obligation and we don’t get paid unless we win.