Department Of Justice Investigates Dole Over Listeria Outbreak Linked To Packaged Salads
May 2, 2016 An investigation has been set in motion by the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) into Dole Food Co. over a Listeria outbreak linked to packaged salads. The outbreak sickened 33 in the U.S. and Canada, and reports indicate four people died.
Packaged at Dole’s Springfield, OH, facility, the salad mixes were voluntarily recalled by Dole on Jan. 27, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). On March 31, the CDC indicated the outbreak appeared to be over.
On April 29, Dole released the following statement:
“At Dole, the safety of the foods we provide to our consumers, and the safety of our employees, are part of the fabric of our company. That’s why we’re concerned about the recent stories in some publications about FDA’s observation reports.
Those FDA reports deal with issues at our plant that we have corrected. We have been working in collaboration with the FDA and other authorities to implement ongoing improved testing, sanitation and procedure enhancements, which have resulted in the recent reopening of our Springfield salad plant.
We understand that these recent news reports may raise questions among our consumers and customers. They should be assured, however, that we have worked in conjunction with FDA to address those observations and ensure that Dole products are safe.
Dole has recently been contacted by the Department of Justice in connection with its own investigation, and we will be similarly cooperating with the DOJ to answer questions and address any concerns.”
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