Listeria in Prepackaged Salads, Sandwiches, and Cut Fruit

A recent recall that includes more than 400 prepared salads, snacks, parfaits, sandwiches, and wraps is the latest example of the Listeria risk posed by salad, cut fruit, and prepackaged sandwiches. That’s because chilled, ready-to-eat foods are at elevated risk of Listeria contamination.

The Fresh Ideation recall, issued on February 2, includes products that were sold under the brand names Bistro to Go, Quick & Fresh, Orchard Bistro, Dietz & Watson in vending machines, on Amtrak trains, and in convenience stores and other retail locations.

Since 2020, a number of recalls for chilled ready-to-eat foods have been issued including Listeria recalls for: prepackaged sandwiches and wraps issued in 2021 and 2022, cut vegetables and fruit in 2020 and 2022, and bagged kale and packaged salads in 2021 and 2022.

About 2 percent of packaged salads are contaminated with Listeria, according to a study. In December 2021, two Listeria outbreaks linked to packaged salads were announced. One was linked to salads produced by Dole, the other was linked to Fresh Express salads. Both outbreaks were fatal.

Dole Salad Listeria Outbreak

The Listeria outbreak linked to Dole prepackaged salads sickened 18 people in 13 states. Sixteen people were hospitalized and three people died.

Fresh Express Salad Listeria Outbreak

The Fresh Express salad Listeria outbreak included 10 illnesses and one death. The illnesses were reported from July 26, 2016, to October 19, 2021.

Symptoms of a Listeria Infection

Symptoms of a Listeria infection usually appear within a day of exposure but can sometimes take as long as 70 days to develop. They include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, other muscle stiffness, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Sometimes these symptoms are preceded by nausea, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.

Experienced Listeria Lawyers

If you developed a Listeria infection after eating prepackaged salads, sandwiches, wraps, cut fruit, or vegetables and would like to discuss your legal options, please contact our Listeria lawyers. Our Food Safety Team has more experience handling Listeria lawsuits than any other law firm in the country securing some of the largest Listeria settlements in U.S. history including a recent award of $6.4 million.

You can reach us by calling 1-888-377-8900, sending a text to 612-261-0856, or by completing the form below. There is no obligation and we don’t get paid unless we win.