Listeria-Contaminated Bagged Salad: Multiple Brands Recalled

By Daniel J. DeNoon
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD

May 21, 2012 -- Various bagged salads, some sold nationwide, are being recalled because of possible contamination with listeria bacteria.

The salads range from iceberg lettuce to slaw mix. They are sold under various brand names, including River Ranch, Farm Stand, Hy-Vee, Shurfresh, and The Farmer's Market.

Although listeria may not cause severe disease in most people, older people and people with suppressed immune systems are at risk of potentially fatal illness. Listeria can cause miscarriages in pregnant women. Even healthy people may experience high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea from listeria food poisoning.

However, no illnesses associated with the recalled salads have been reported. The contamination was found during a routine, random FDA inspection of salads in the marketplace.

The recalled retail and food service salad bags have either "Best By" code dates of 12MAY2012 - 22MAY2012 or a Julian date between 116 and 125. The code date is typically located in the upper right hand corner of the bags.

Recalled Salad Brands

BRAND	PRODUCT NAME	SIZE	PKG TYPE	UPC	STATES
RIVER RANCH	Three-Color Cole Slaw Mix	16oz	bag	45388-10046	NATIONWIDE
Angel Hair	10oz	bag	45388-10031
Creamy Homestyle Cole Slaw Kit	11.5oz	bag	45388-10037
Iceberg & Romaine European	12oz	bag	45388-60019
Iceberg & Romaine European	12oz	bag	45388-60042
Greener Garden	12oz	bag	45388-60040
Classic Garden	6oz	bag	45388-60001
Classic Garden	16oz	bag	45388-60002
Chopped Romaine	10oz	bag	45388-88030
Complete Caesar Salad Kit	10oz	bag	45388-60043
Italian Salad	10oz	bag	45388-60020
Romaine Garden	10oz	bag	45388-60044
Iceberg Shreds	8oz	bag	45388-60045
Restaurant-Style Cole Slaw	16oz	bag	45388-10024
Spring Mix	24oz	bag	n/a
Spring Mix	48oz	bag	n/a
Heritage Blend	16oz	bag	n/a
Farm Stand	Iceberg Garden Salad	16oz	bag	41163-45452	CA
Iceberg Garden Salad	24oz	bag	41163-45453
Hy Vee	Cole Slaw	16oz	bag	75450-12051	IA, IL, KS, MN, MO, NB, SD, WI
European Blend	12oz	bag	75450-12049
American Blend	12oz	bag	75450-12047
Garden Supreme	12oz	bag	75450-12046
Garden Salad	16oz	bag	75450-12052
Garden Salad	48oz	bag	75450-12065
Italian Blend	10oz	bag	75450-12048
Shredded Lettuce	8oz	bag	75450-12053
Caesar Salad Kit	10oz	bag	75450-12050
Chopped Romaine	10oz	bag	75450-12055
Romaine Garden Blend	12oz	bag	75450-12058
Shurfresh	Greener Garden Salad	12oz	bag	11161-40133	AR, CO, KS, KY, IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, OK, SD, TN, TX, WI, WY
Romaine Garden Salad	10oz	bag	11161-40134
Iceberg Garden Salad	16oz	bag	11161-49092
Cole Slaw	16oz	bag	11161-49088
Sysco	Spring Mix	48oz	bag	n/a	MO
The Farmers Market	Cole Slaw	16oz	bag	30034-30013	MD, OH, PA, WV
American Salad Blend	12oz	bag	30034-30105
Italian Salad Blend	10oz	bag	30034-30115
Romaine Garden Salad Blend	12oz	bag	30034-30220
Romaine Chopped	10oz	bag	30034-30141
Garden Supreme	12oz	bag	30034-30146
Parisian Salad Blend	7oz	bag	30034-30259
Angel Hair Cole Slaw	10oz	bag	30034-30266
European Salad Blend	12oz	bag	30034-30125
Leafy Romaine Blend	9oz	bag	30034-30364
Garden Salad	6oz	bag	30034-30012
Garden Salad	12oz	bag	30034-30400
Garden Salad	24oz	bag	30034-30363
ColeSlaw Kit	11oz	bag	30034-99829
Iceberg Shredded	8oz	bag	30034-30195
Iceberg Shredded	16oz	bag	30034-99888

Do not eat any of these products. The salads may be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions can contact River Ranch at their 24-hour customer service center at 800-762-7708.