Dole Fresh Vegetables has expanded to the U.S. its voluntary recall of bagged salad after initially issuing a recall in Canada. The concern is that some of the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The products being recalled are Dole Italian Blend (UPC 7143000819), Fresh Selections Italian Style Blend (UPC 1111091045), Little Salad Bar Italian Salad (UPC 4149811014) and Marketside Italian Style Salad (UPC 8113102780) coded A058201A or B, with use-by date of March 12, 2014.

The product code and use-by date are in the upper right-hand corner of the package; the UPC code is on the back of the package below the barcode. The salads were distributed in 15 U.S. states: Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia. They were also distributed in three Canadian provinces: New Brunswick, Ontario and Quebec. No illnesses have been reported in association with the recall. However, due to the time involved in tracing a foodborne illness back to a specific food product, it is impossible to say whether or not anyone has fallen ill. The recall was issued after one sample of Dole Italian salad yielded a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes in a random sample test conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Although the product is past its use-by date, retailers should check their inventories and store shelves to confirm that none of the product is mistakenly present or available for purchase by consumers or in warehouse inventories. Dole Fresh Vegetables customer service representatives are already contacting retailers and are in the process of confirming that the recalled product is being removed from the stream of commerce. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause foodborne illness in a person who eats a food item contaminated with it. Symptoms of infection may include fever, muscle aches and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. The illness primarily impacts pregnant women and adults with weakened immune systems. Most healthy adults and children rarely become seriously ill.