E. Coli Threat: Salads and Sandwich Wraps Recalled From Trader Joe's Shelves

Written by Bea Karnes

Nearly 200,000 pounds of ready-to-eat salads and sandwich wrap products with chicken and ham have been recalled because they may be contaminated with E. coliO157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced.

Residents of California, Washington and Arizona have confirmed cases. (See the end of this story for two other major recalls announced this weekend.)

Glass Onion Catering of Richmond is the source of therecalled food, sold under the following labels:

• 12 oz. packages of  “delish pan pacific chop salad”
• 13.4 oz. packages of  “delish California style grilled chicken salad”
• 9.9 oz. packages of  “delish uncured applewood smoked ham & cheese wrap”
• 10.5 oz. packages of “delish grilled chicken caesar wrap”
• 10.9 oz. packages of  “delish southwestern chicken wrap”
• 11.5 oz. packages of  “delish greek brand low-calorie grilled chicken wrap”
• 9.9 oz. packages of  “delish white chicken club wrap”
• 11.2 oz. packages of  “delish asian style chicken wrap”
• 13.4 oz. packages of  “atherstone Fine Foods Southwestern Style White Chicken Wrap with Chimichurri Sauce”
• 10.5 oz. packages of  “atherstone Fine Foods Asian Style White Chicken Wrap with Mango Vinaigrette”
• 9.9 oz. packages of  “atherstone Fine Foods Grilled White Chicken Caesar Wrap with Caesar Dressing”
• 10.7 oz. packages of  “super fresh Foods California Grilled Chicken Salad, Low Fat Mendocino Mustard Dressing”
• 10.7 oz. packages of  “Lunch Spot Southwestern Style Chicken Wrap, Chile & Lime  Dressing”
• 9.2 oz. packages of  “super fresh Foods Pan Pacific Chopped Chicken Salad, Ginger Soy Dressing”
• 10.7 oz. plastic containers of “TRADER JOE’S Field Fresh Chopped Salad with Grilled Chicken.”
• 11 oz. plastic containers of “TRADER JOSÉ’S MEXICALI SALAD with Chili Lime Chicken.”

Products regulated by FSIS bear the establishment number “P-34221” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The products were produced between Sept. 23 and Nov. 6, 2013 and shipped to distributions centers in eight states.

Symptoms of E. coli

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2-8 days (3-4 days, on average) after exposure the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. (Veterans Day is a federal holiday) Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.