Consumer Protection Issues E-Coli Alert For Dole Bagged Salads

HARTFORD — The Department of Consumer Protection is alerting consumers that Dole Fresh Vegetables, a division of Dole Food Company, is voluntarily recalling all salad bearing the label “Dole Hearts Delight” sold in the United States and Canada with a “best if used by (BIUB)” date of September 19, 2007, and a production code of “A24924A” or “A24924B” stamped on the package.

The “best if used by (BIUB)” code date can be located in the upper right hand corner of the front of the bag.

The salad was sold in plastic bags, one-half pound size with UPC code 071430-01038.

 “I’m asking people to look at Dole salad packages they have recently purchased, just to be sure they aren’t marked with the identifying information,” Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell said. “Preliminary indications are that the product had limited distribution in Connecticut, but if you’ve recently bought bagged salad, check the package to be sure it’s not one of the recalled items, which could cause serious illness.”

This recalled product should not be eaten, but returned to the store for an immediate refund, Commissioner Farrell said.

E. coli is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

This product was principally sold in Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime Provinces in Canada and in Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and neighboring states in the United States.

At this time limited distribution in Connecticut has been tentatively identified through Stop & Shop Supermarkets. Consumers can call the Dole Consumer Center toll-free at 800-356-3111.

Consumers are reminded that products should not be consumed after the “best if used by” date.

Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the USDA virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline (888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday.

Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The Department of Consumer Protection lists recall information on its website, www.ct.gov/dcp.