Dole Fresh Vegetables, a division of Dole Food Co Inc, is cooperating with the United States Food and Drug Administration and the Minnesota and California State Departments of Health in an investigation of an outbreak of E coli 0157:H7. This outbreak occurred September 13-19 in the Minneapolis/St Paul area of Minnesota. The packaged salads in question may have been distributed nationally.
Symptoms of E coli 0157:H7 exposure could include stomach cramps and diarrhea; bloody diarrhea may develop. E coli disease sometimes leads to a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
The three salad varieties in question are Classic Romaine, and American Blend, with a "best-if-used-by (BIUB)" date of Sept 23, 2005, and a production code beginning "B250"; and Greener Selection with a BIUB date of Sept 22, 2005, and a production code beginning "B250", stamped on the package. The BIUB code date is in the upper right hand corner of the front of the bag.
No other Dole salad products are involved.
