Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Health Law Blogs -> Food Safety News

Health Law

: Food Safety News

Fresh Express Recalls Salads for E. coli in Canada

By Dan Flynn and Suzanna Schreck

Fresh Express brand Romaine-based Salads that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 have been recalled in Canada.  There have not yet been any reports of illnesses, but it is a huge recall covering all of Canada.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Wednesday warned the public not to consume the Fresh Express brand Romaine-based Salads involved in the recall because these products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The manufacturer, Fresh Express Inc., of Salinas, CA, distributed the recalled salads throughout Canada including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec.  The Salinas Valley markets itself as "America's Salad Bowl."

The following Fresh Express brand Romaine-based Salads which have Best Before dates of July 9 through July 12 and an "S" in the product code are affected by this alert:

-5-Lettuce Mix (170 g), UPC: 2 71279 25101 1

-American (340 g), UPC: 0 71279 24100 5

-Asian Supreme Completes Kit (391 g), UPC: 0 71279 30201 0

-BLT Caesar Completes Kit (298 g), UPC: 0 71279 30107 5

-Caesar Completes Kit (284 g), UPC: 0 71279 30100 6

-Caesar Supreme Completes Kit (305 g), UPC: 0 71279 30104 4

-CaesarLite Completes Kit (284 g), UPC: 0 71279 30101 3

-Salsa! Ensalada Supreme Completes Kit (397 g), UPC: 0 71279 30601 8

-Double Carrots (340 g), UPC: 0 71279 10802 5

-Fancy Greens (198 g), UPC: 0 71279 23201 0

-Green & Crisp (340 g), UPC: 0 71279 10804 9

-Hearts of Romaine (284 g), UPC: 0 71279 26102 7

-Italian (284 g), UPC: 0 71279 21100 8

-Leafy Green Romaine (255 g), UPC: 0 71279 26112 6

-Lettuce Trio (255 g), UPC: 0 71279 10809 4

-Premium Romaine (255 g), UPC: 0 71279 10808 7

-Triple Hearts (227 g), UPC: 0 71279 26111 9

-Veggie Lovers (340 g), UPC: 0 71279 28100 1

Eating any of the recalled salad makings brings with it the risk of infection with E. coli O157:H7 with symptoms being severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea.  In severe cases, individuals develop hemolytic uremic syndrome.  Some people may have seizures or strokes and some may need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis.  Others may live with permanent kidney damage.  In worse cases of illness, people may die. 

The Use-By Date is found in the upper right hand corner of the package with the product code immediately underneath.

CFIA reminded Canadians that food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled.

The CFIA will be working with Canadian importers to remove all of the affected products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.  

It is the second time this year that Canada has had a recall involving Fresh Express brands.  The pre-made salad is sold in plastic bags.

Full post as published by Food Safety News on July 15, 2010 (boomark / email).