WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- A number of prepackaged Dole salad products are being linked to an outbreak of E. coli in Minnesota.
The Food and Drug Administration says the outbreak has been associated with Dole salad products purchased from the Rainbow Foods grocery store chain in Minnesota but salad products containing the affected production codes are also distributed nationwide.
There have been reports of eleven cases of illness attributed to E. coli in Minnesota. Two people have been hospitalized.
"Given the severity of this illness, FDA believes an urgent warning to consumers is needed," said Dr. Robert Brackett, director of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
The FDA said Dole Food Co. has issued a recall for the implicated salad products.
The three prepackaged salad products involved are:
Classic Romaine -- with a "best-if-used-by (BIUB)" date of September 23, 2005 and a production code beginning with "B250."
American Blend -- with a "best-if-used-by (BIUB)" date of September 23, 2005 and a production code beginning with "B250."
Greener Selection -- with a "best-if-used-by (BIUB)" date of September 22, 2005, and a production code beginning with "B250."
The "best-if-used-by" code date can be located in the upper right hand corner of the front of the bag. Consumers who have any of the three packaged salads listed should dispose of the product.
