The USDA announced Thursday a recall of 97,272 pounds of salad products, which were sold at stores in Georgia and 21 other states, that contain meat or poultry because the lettuce in those mixes could be contaminated by E. coli.
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New Jersey-based Missa Bay produced the salad mixes between Oct. 14 and Oct. 16, 2019, according to the announcement. The products subject to recall bear establishment number "EST. 18502B" inside the USDA mark of inspection. Besides Georgia, the products were shipped and distributed in Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and Wisconsin.
The full product list, which includes salad products from Georgia stores including Target, Walmart, Sam's Club and Aldi's, can be found here. Chicken caesar salads, guacamole bowls and other salad mixes are included in the recall.
"As part of a foodborne illness outbreak investigation, the Maryland Department of Health collected an unopened package of Ready Pac Bistro Chicken Raised Without Antibiotics Caesar Salad with FSIS EST number 18502B on the label," USDA spokesman Mitch Adams said in a written statement. "The state collected and tested individual ingredients in the salad and the lettuce tested positive for E. coli O157:H7."
On Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced an investigation into an E. coli outbreak affecting Bonduelle Fresh Americas pre-made caesar salads that have sickened 17 people in eight states. Symptoms associated with E. coli infection include diarrhea and vomiting.
The source of the outbreak has not been determined, but seven people in Maryland reported eating a pre-made chicken caesar salad before getting sick. The salads were purchased at various Sam's Clubs, according to the Maryland Department of Health.
The Missa Bay outbreak may include products sold at restaurants and commercial kitchens, so those establishments are asked not to serve any products on the list.
Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Mary Toscano, Consumer Affairs manager for Bonduelle at 1-800-800-7822.
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