Some packaged salads sold in IL may have contaminated lettuce. How to check yours
If you’ve recently purchased a prepackaged salad with chicken or ham from an Illinois retailer, you may want to check a recent public health alert to make sure it’s safe to eat.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a public health alert April 7 for certain prepackaged salads containing chicken and ham. The products may contain lettuce voluntarily recalled for possible listeria contamination.
These products were included in the public health alert and should not be consumed, according to FSIS:
5.5-oz. clear plastic packages containing “Fruit Ridge Farms White Chicken Caesar Salad” with sell by dates 03/10/23 through 04/14/23
4.6-oz. clear plastic packages containing “Fruit Ridge Farms Chef Salad with Ham” with sell by dates 03/10/23 through 04/14/23
5.5-oz. clear plastic packages containing “BELL’S BISTRO White Chicken Caesar Salad” with sell by dates 03/10/23 through 04/14/23
4.6-oz. clear plastic packages containing “BELL’S BISTRO Chef Salad with Ham” with sell by dates 03/10/23 through 04/14/23
“These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase,” FSIS says.
These salads have the number “EST. 17050” or “P-17050” in the USDA inspection mark and were also shipped to Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and Tennessee.
“There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products,” the FSIS statement said. “Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.”
The voluntary lettuce recall included specific products sold at Meijer and other stores and were distributed under brand name Revolution Farms, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Listeria outbreaks have also been reported from deli meat and cheese, Enoki mushrooms, ice cream and other foods.
Listeriosis in Illinois
The bacteria “Listeria monocytogenes” can cause listeriosis, which approximately 1,850 U.S. residents become seriously ill with each year. Listeria is found in soil and water and can contaminate vegetables and animals.
About 20 listeriosis cases are reported in the Land of Lincoln annually, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, and 25% of patients die.
While contaminated food can cause illness in anyone, IDPH reports pregnant people, newborns and people with compromised immune systems are most at risk.
“Pregnant women are about 20 times more likely than other healthy adults to get listeriosis,” IDPH reports. “About one-third of all reported cases happen during pregnancy.”
Possible symptoms of listeriosis include:
Fever
Muscle aches
Nausea
Diarrhea
Headache
Stiff neck
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says those who eat potentially contaminated food and develop a fever and other listeriosis symptoms should seek medical care.
If you ate food that may have been contaminated but you don’t feel sick, “most experts believe you do not need tests or treatment,” the CDC says.
This story was originally published April 11, 2023 at 5:30 AM.
