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Outbreak Summary

The CDC has announced a new outbreak of Listeria illnesses that has been linked to packaged salads produced by Dole Fresh Vegetables. At least 16 people have become sick, and two of them have died. The strain of Listeria involved in this outbreak began making people sick as far back as 2014, but the investigation finally traced the source back to Dole after four new illnesses linked to the outbreak strain were reported starting in August of 2021.

The prepackaged salads are sold under many brands and at many stores, including:

• Ahold
• Dole
• Kroger
• Lidl
• Little Salad Bar
• Marketside
• Naturally Better
• Nature’s Promise
• Simply Nature

A full list is available here.

Our Listeria Lawyers are actively investigating this outbreak, and this page will update as we uncover more information. If you or a loved one became sick with a Listeria infection after eating any Dole prepackaged salad, please contact us for a free consultation.

More Details

Fatal Listeria Outbreak Linked to Packaged Salads Produced by Dole

At least 16 people have become sick with Listeria illnesses after eating Dole prepackaged salads over the last several years. The sickened people are spread over 13 states across the country:

What is Listeria?

Listeriosis is a serious infection usually contracted from food contaminated by Listeria monocytogenes. Anyone can contract this bacterial infection, but pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and individuals with compromised immune systems are most at risk.

Listeriosis can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women, as it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature delivery. According to the CDC, Listeriosis causes a fetal loss in about 20% of cases. Newborns can also suffer a life-threatening infection. The CDC reports newborn death occurs in about 3% of cases. When a pregnant woman notices the symptoms of Listeriosis, it is important to seek medical care immediately to protect the pregnancy.

Individuals with weak immune systems and the elderly are more likely to develop severe infections in the bloodstream or brain, which can be fatal. Listeriosis can also affect other parts of the body, including the bones and joints.

Severe Listeriosis can be treated with antibiotics. Prompt treatment of severe symptoms is important and dramatically reduces the risk of more severe complications.

Common Symptoms of Listeria

Listeriosis symptoms can vary dramatically from person to person. In less serious cases, the infection may remain in the gut and cause flu-like symptoms. In some cases, however the Listeria bacteria will spread beyond the gut, This is known as invasive listeriosis. When Listeria spreads to the nervous system, individuals can experience:

  • Headache
  • Stiff neck
  • Confusion
  • Changes in alertness
  • Difficulty with balance
  • Convulsions
  • Sensitivity to light

Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical care right away. These can be signs of bacterial meningitis, which can cause severe complications, disabilities, and death.

Contact us for more information

OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers is a national food safety law firm and offers free consultations to anybody potentially impacted by this outbreak. Listeria lawyers Ryan Osterholm and Brendan Flaherty have represented people sickened by Listeria throughout the country, and can your questions and help you pursue compensation.

Notable Recoveries

$10 million

Seven infants were sickened after consuming a contaminated food product marketed to infants

$6.5 million

Verdict on behalf of a little boy who contracted a severe Salmonella infection from chicken

$7.55 million

Verdict on behalf of a little girl who contracted E. coli at a petting zoo

$2.25 million

E. coli infections contracted from a major fast food chain

$45 million

An over-the-counter medication caused severe kidney damage to multiple users

$3.4 million

A pregnant woman contracted a Listeria infection from contaminated fruit and passed the infection to her child

$3 million

Multistate Cyclospora outbreaks

$275,000

A couple contracted Salmonella from a restaurant

$525,000

A pedestrian was struck by a left-turning car, fracturing her tibia

$700,000

A semi-truck rear-ended a motorcyclist causing a collapsed lung, rib fractures and road rash