Skip to main content
          Skip to FDA Search
          Skip to in this section menu
          Skip to footer links


U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government

					Here’s how you know
          			Dot gov**The .gov means it’s official.**Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.
							      SSL**The site is secure.** The **https://** ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. 
			U.S. Food and Drug Administration
				
        Search
            Menu
							
						Search FDA
									
									Submit search 
		Featured
							Contact FDA
	                FDA Guidance Documents
	                Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts
	                Press Announcements
	                Warning Letters
	                Advisory Committees
	                En Español

					Products
            Food
							Drugs
							Medical Devices
							Radiation-Emitting Products
							Vaccines, Blood, and Biologics
							Animal and Veterinary
							Cosmetics
							Tobacco ProductsTopics
            About FDA
							Combination Products
							Regulatory Information
							Safety
							Emergency Preparedness
							International Programs
							News and Events
							Training and Continuing Education
							Inspections and Compliance
							Science and ResearchInformation For
            Consumers
	            Patients
	            Industry
	            Health Professionals
	            Federal, State and Local Officials 
 In this section:

                Outbreaks of Foodborne Illness

Outbreaks of Foodborne Illness

                        Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
          Public Health Advisories from Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
          Food Safety Tips for Consumers & Retailers During an Outbreak of Foodborne Illness
          Food Safety Resources for Produce Shippers and Carriers During a Foodborne Illness Outbreak
          Outbreak Investigation Reports
          How to Report Seafood-Related Toxin and Scombrotoxin Fish Poisoning Illnesses
          About the CORE Network
          CORE Annual Reports
          CORE Publications


                        Foodborne Pathogens Home
          Food
          Recalls, Outbreaks & Emergencies
          Outbreaks of Foodborne Illness
          Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Dole Packaged Salad (December 2021)Outbreaks of Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Dole Packaged Salad (December 2021)
  
  					FDA’s investigation is complete. CDC declares outbreak over.
	
    Subscribe to Email Updates
    Share
    Post
    Linkedin

    Email
    PrintThe FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, investigated a multistate outbreak of *Listeria monocytogenes* infections linked to Dole packaged leafy greens. A total of 18 people infected with the outbreak strain of *Listeria monocytogenes* were reported from 13 states. According to the CDC, as of April 4, 2022, this outbreak has ended.

FDA sent investigators to multiple Dole processing facilities to conduct on-site inspections and Dole conducted a root cause analysis of their own in an effort to determine the potential source of contamination for this outbreak. Continued investigation conducted by Dole detected the presence of *Listeria*on a piece of equipment in their Yuma, AZ, facility. FDA conducted WGS analysis of an isolate shared by Dole, and the results confirmed that this isolate of *Listeria* matched the strain causing illness in this outbreak and also matched the strain of *Listeria* found in a positive product sample collected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, as reported on December 23, 2021. Dole decommissioned and later dismantled this piece of equipment.

As reported on February 1, 2022, following the initial voluntary recall issued by Dole on December 22, 2021, Dole detected the presence of *Listeria monocytogenes* on equipment used in the harvesting of the iceberg lettuce that was also used in finished products processed in the Dole Springfield, OH, and Soledad, CA, facilities. This finding prompted a subsequent voluntary recall on January 7, 2022.

FDA analyzed the positive samples collected by Dole from the harvesting equipment. Results from FDA’s Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis showed that the strain of*Listeria*found on the harvesting equipment matched the strain causing illnesses in this outbreak. Dole decommissioned the harvester and it was later dismantled. Product on hold that was included in the December 2021 recall was later tested by Dole and tested positive for the strain of *Listeria monocytogenes*that caused illnesses in this outbreak.

During the investigation, operations at the Bessemer City, NC, and Yuma, AZ, facilities were temporarily halted for deep cleaning, sanitization, and verification swabbing, and have since resumed.

Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data indicated that leafy greens produced by Dole were the source of this multistate outbreak. Dole cooperated with FDA inspectors, undertook a root cause analysis, and shared results of its root cause analysis with FDA. FDA plans to continue to work with industry, federal partners, state and local regulators, academia, and others to address the safety of leafy greens by advancing work in prevention, response, and addressing knowledge gaps.

**Recommendation**

On April 4, 2022, CDC announced this outbreak is over. The product is past expiration and is no longer available to consumers. Therefore, there are no specific recommendations for consumers, retailers, or suppliers.

In general, FDA recommends that anyone who received recalled products use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with these products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. *Listeria*can survive in refrigerated temperatures and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces.
****

Map of U.S. Distribution of Recalled Packaged Salad

Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes from Dole Packaged Salad - Map of U.S. Distribution of Recalled Packaged Salad (February 1, 2022)
Case Count Map Provided by CDC

Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes from Dole Packaged Salad - CDC Case Count Map (April 4, 2022)
Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 18
Hospitalizations: 16
Deaths: 3
Last illness onset: January 15, 2022
States with Cases: IA, ID, MD, MI, MN, NC, NV, OH, OR, PA, TX, UT, WI
Product Distribution*: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI,  IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI

*Distribution has been confirmed for states listed, but product could have been distributed further, reaching additional states
Useful Links

What Products are Recalled? 
	Dole Recall (12/22/2021)
		Dole Recall (1/7/2022)
	What is *Listeria*?
	Food Safety Tips for Retailers and Consumers During an Outbreak
	Previous Updates
	Who to Contact
	CDC Outbreak Page


Previous Updates

**February 1, 2022**

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of *Listeria monocytogenes* infections linked to Dole packaged leafy greens by epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data. According to the CDC, as of February 1, 2022, 17 people infected with the outbreak strain of *Listeria monocytogenes* have been reported from 13 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from August 16, 2014, to December 30, 2021 (one case occurred in 2014 and the remaining cases occurred between 2018 and 2021). CDC investigated this outbreak in 2019 and 2020 but was unable to gather enough data to identify the source in the past. CDC reopened the investigation in November 2021 after reports of new illnesses.

FDA sent investigators to multiple Dole processing facilities to conduct on-site inspections while at the same time Dole initiated their own investigation. On December 22, 2021, Dole voluntarily recalled all products and brands from their Bessemer City, NC, and Yuma, AZ, facilities. On January 7, 2022, as a result of continued investigations, Dole issued a voluntary recall of additional products after Dole detected the presence of *Listeria monocytogenes* on equipment used in the harvesting of the raw iceberg lettuce also used in finished products processed in the Dole Springfield, OH, and Soledad, CA, facilities. These products were shipped throughout the United States and several provinces in Canada. FDA analyzed the positive sample collected by Dole from the harvesting equipment. Results from FDA’s WGS analysis showed that the strain of*Listeria monocytogenes* found on the harvesting equipment matches the strain causing illnesses in this outbreak.

**December 23, 2021**

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of *Listeria monocytogenes* infections potentially linked to Dole packaged leafy greens. According to the CDC, as of December 22, 2021, 16 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 13 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from August 16, 2014 to October 17, 2021 (one case occurred in 2014 and the remaining cases occurred between 2018 and 2021).

CDC investigated this outbreak in 2019 and 2020 but was unable to gather enough data to identify the source in the past. CDC reopened the investigation in November 2021 when four new illnesses were reported since the end of August.

In October 2021, as a part of routine retail sampling, the Georgia Department of Agriculture collected a product sample of prepackaged salad mix from a grocery store for testing. The sample tested positive for*Listeria monocytogenes*. In response to the sample results, Dole initiated a recall of packaged garden salads in October 2021. These products are now past their “Best if Used By” dates. The positive sample was later sent for whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis; and in December 2021, WGS analysis was completed. The results show that the *Listeria monocytogenes* in the product sample was a match to the outbreak strain. FDA is conducting an inspection at the facility that produced the product that tested positive for*Listeria monocytogenes*.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development also recently initiated retail sampling of Dole products in their state as part of this investigation. One product containing lettuce from the Dole facility in Yuma, AZ, tested positive for *Listeria monocytogenes*. WGS analysis showed that the Listeria monocytogenes in the product sample is also a match to the outbreak strain.

In response to the sample analyses and the ongoing outbreak investigation, Dole has agreed to voluntarily suspend operations at both the Bessemer City, NC, facility and Yuma, AZ, facility and has voluntarily recalled all products and brands from those facilities. Those products have production lot codes beginning with either the letter “N” or “Y” in the upper right-hand corner of the package and Best if Used By dates from November 30, 2021 to January 8, 2022.

This recall does not include whole head packaged lettuce. A full list of recalled products is available on FDA's website.

FDA and CDC are currently investigating two separate *Listeria* outbreaks linked to packaged salads. This outbreak is linked to packaged salads produced by Dole. The other outbreak is linked to packaged salads produced by Fresh Express. These investigations are ongoing, and additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

Who to Contact

**Consumers who have symptoms**should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.

To report a **complaint**or **adverse event**(illness or serious allergic reaction), you can

Call an FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinatorif you wish to speak directly to a person about your problem.
	Complete an electronic Voluntary MedWatch form online.
	Complete a paper Voluntary MedWatch form that can be mailed to FDA.Submit Questions/Get Assistance

Follow us on X

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      04/04/2022
              
              
Regulated Product(s)
		 Food & BeveragesTopic(s)
			  OutbreakOutbreaks of Foodborne Illness

          
                        Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
          Public Health Advisories from Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
          Food Safety Tips for Consumers & Retailers During an Outbreak of Foodborne Illness
          Food Safety Resources for Produce Shippers and Carriers During a Foodborne Illness Outbreak
          Outbreak Investigation Reports
          How to Report Seafood-Related Toxin and Scombrotoxin Fish Poisoning Illnesses
          About the CORE Network
          CORE Annual Reports
          CORE Publications


                        Foodborne Pathogens
 Get Email Notifications on Outbreak Investigations
                        Get email updates delivered to your inbox.
    Enter your email address to subscribe:
 Footer Links
    FDA Archive
          About FDA
          Accessibility
      Visitor Information
          Website Policies / Privacy
          No FEAR Act
          Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
      FOIA
          HHS.gov
          USA.gov
    Contact FDA
      Follow FDA on Facebook
      Follow FDA on X
      Follow FDA on Instagram
      Follow FDA on LinkedIn
      View FDA videos on YouTube
      Subscribe to FDA RSS feeds
    FDA Homepage
    Contact Number
      1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) Back toTop