WARNING: Deadly Listeria outbreak linked to Dole lettuce; Recall affects Canada and United States

DANGER! A deadly Listeriosis outbreak, commonly known as listeria, is spreading throughout Canada and the United States. The outbreak is linked to the Dole lettuce facility in Springfield, Ohio; they produce lettuce, spinach and arugula for brand names such as Dole, Fresh Selections, Simple Truth, Marketside, The Little Salad Bar and President's Choice. So far, the outbreak has caused one death in Michigan, and many sick and hospitalizations throughout both countries.

Dole is now withdrawing packaged salads from Ontario, Quebec, all of Atlantic Canada and more than 20 U.S. states due to the Listeria outbreak. You can tell if the products came from the contaminated facility by the product code, which is located at the top-right corner of the bag. The agency reports that the Dole facility can be identified by an “A” at the beginning of the code.

It seems that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been receiving Listeria reports of the life-threatening Dole products since the summer of 2015. Even if you have not have ingested the salad recently, you could still fall victim under the recall specifications. The Listeria incubation period can be anywhere from several days to two months after eating the contaminated products. Those who are at highest risk of serious illness, according to Health Canada, include pregnant women and unborn or newborn children, adults 65 and over, and people with weakened immune systems.