Lettuce Recalled In Alabama Due To Listeria Risk: FDA

ALABAMA — Alabama is one of 10 states where several packages of Dole lettuce sold at Kroger, Walmart and other grocery chains are being recalled. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says the packages may be contaminated with listeria.

Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is voluntarily recalling a limited number of cases of garden salad due to a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes.

No illnesses connected to any of the recalled lot codes have been reported so far. Customers should throw out any of the recalled product, the FDA said.

The recalled lettuce was distributed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia.

Stores sold the lettuce under the Dole, Marketside (stocked by Walmart), Kroger and Salad Classics labels.

A news release from the FDA said the tainted lettuce was sold under these brand names and lot codes:

• 24 oz Dole Garden Salad (Lot codes: N28205A and N28205B; UPC: 0-71430-01136-2 10-25-21)
• 24 oz Marketside Classic Salad (Lot codes: N28205A and N28205B; UPC: 6-81131-32895-1 10-25-21)
• 12 oz Kroger Brand Garden Salad (Lot codes: N28211A and N28211B; UPC: 0-11110-91036-3 10-25-21)
• 12 oz Salad Classics Garden Salad (Lot codes: N28211A and N28211B; UPC: 6-88267-18443-7 10-25-21)

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

Consumers can find the lot code and best if used by date on the upper right corner of the bag and the UPC code is located on the bottom left corner of the back of the bag.

Retailers and consumers with questions may call the Dole Consumer Center at 1-800-356-3111, which is open 24 hours a day.

An estimated 1,600 people get listeriosis each year, and about 260 die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms of listeriosis include fever and diarrhea. Other symptoms can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions in addition to fever and muscle aches.

Patch managing editor Deb Belt contributed to this report.