[MTC Global] Do NOT Eat or Serve Another Bag of Salad Until You’ve Read This

Do NOT Eat or Serve Another Bag of Salad Until You've Read This! (1 Dead, 12 More Hospitalized)

By Daily Health Post -

January 26, 2016

​

No matter how many times your salad says "pre-washed", it's always worth it to rinse it once more.

The CDC has issued a warning on January 22nd 2016 against bagged and prepackaged salads citing a Listeria originating from a Dole processing facility in Springfield, Ohio. (source)

What Is Listeria?

Listeria infection is a foodborne bacterial illness that can be very serious for pregnant women and people with impaired immune systems. It can originate form unwashed produce, raw meat and unpasteurized dairy products. Listeria bacteria can survive refrigeration and even freezing (1).

The infection is typically treated with antibiotics or is simply eliminated by the immune system. Occasionally, listeria infection can lead to life-threatening complications (1).

These include (2):

• A generalized blood infection (septicemia)
• Inflammation of the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain (meningitis)

If the listeria infection spreads to your nervous system, symptoms include (1):

• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Confusion or changes in alertness
• Loss of balance
• Convulsions

If you experience fever, muscle aches, nausea or diarrhea, contact your doctor or go to the hospital. Each year in the U.S., the CDC estimates that 1,600 people get sick from Listeria infections and 260 people die (3). The last statistically significant outbreak was 2012.

More On The Outbreak

Since September 2015, CDC has been collaborating with public health officials in several states and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections (listeriosis). Listeria can cause a serious, life-threatening illness (3).

Illnesses were reported in six states: Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

Those affected by the bacteria ranged in age from 3 to 83 years old, and included one woman who was pregnant. 12 people reported being hospitalized, including one person from Michigan who died as a result of listeriosis. (source)

The outbreak is said to have affected other brands than Dole such as:

• Fresh Selections
• Simple Truth
• Marketside
• The Little Salad Bar
• President's Choice Organic (4).

States that received packaged salads from this facility include (4):

• Alabama
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Michigan
• Massachusetts
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• New Jersey
• New York
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• Wisconsin

At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that packaged salads produced at other Dole processing facilities in the United States are linked to illness (3).

Not Just The USA

The outbreak has also spread north of the border, where it's affected products in Canadian supermarkets. Affected products can be identified by a product code beginning with the letter A (5).

The CFIA has issues a federal recall that applies to 48 different Dole pre-packaged chopped salads, salad blends and kits, and nine different PC Organics brand leafy greens. The specific products can be viewed here (6).

Currently, there are no reported cases of Canadians being infected by the bacteria.

Dole Fresh Vegetables told the Food and Drug Administration on Friday, January 22nd that it would temporarily suspend operations at the Springfield processing facility.

The company also voluntarily withdrew from the market all of its Dole-branded and private label packaged salads processed at that location (7).

What To Do If You've Purchased These Products

Here are a few guidelines from the CDC (4):

• Throw the packaged salad away in a closed plastic bag placed in a sealed trash can. This will prevent people and animals from eating it.
• Wash the refrigerator drawer and other areas where the packaged salads were stored with hot water and soap.
• Wash cutting boards, surfaces, and utensils used to serve or store packaged salads. If possible, use a dishwasher; otherwise, use hot water and soap, followed by sanitizing with a solution. A mix of hot water and vinegar works well.
• Wash your hands with warm water and soap after cleaning up.

Additionally, monitor yourself and your family and call a doctor if you begin to notice any of the symptoms mentioned above.

How To Protect Your Family From Future Contamination

FDA recommendations the following step to protect your family form food-borne bacteria and illnesses (8).

When preparing food:

• Rinse raw produce, such as fruits and vegetables, thoroughly under running tap water before eating, cutting, or cooking. Even if the produce will be peeled, it should still be washed first.
• Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
• Dry the produce with a clean cloth or paper towel.
• Separate uncooked meats and poultry from vegetables, cooked foods, and ready-to-eat foods.

To keep your kitchen clean:

• Wash hands, knives, countertops, and cutting boards after handling and preparing uncooked foods.
• Be aware that Listeria monocytogenes can grow in foods in the refrigerator. The refrigerator should be 40°F or lower and the freezer 0°F or lower.
• Clean up all spills in your refrigerator right away–especially juices from hot dog and lunch meat packages, raw meat, and raw poultry.
• Clean the inside walls and shelves of your refrigerator weekly with hot water and liquid soap, then rinse.

sources:
[1]http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/listeria-infection/basics/definition/con-20031039
[2]http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/listeria-infection/basics/complications/con-20031039
[3]http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/statistics.html
[4]http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/bagged-salads-01-16/advice-consumers.html
[5]http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/cfia-recall-dole-salads-listeriosis-1.3416940
[6]http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2016-01-22c/eng/1453522915084/1453522920123
[7]http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/01/25/464310352/the-mystery-of-the-listeria-that-lurked-in-bags-of-dole-salad

 

Regards

Dr. Pious Thomas

Divine Word University

Port Moresby

Papua New Guinea

Mobile India: +91 9980795902

Mobile PNG:+675 72330602

https://www.facebook.com/piousskillsforsuccess

Website: www.skillsforsuccess.in

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