Bagged Salads Recalled Due to E. Coli

Ready Pac Foods, Inc. of Irwindale, CA is recalling a total of 5,379 cases of bagged salad products containing Romaine lettuce, as listed below, with the Use-by Date of November 18, 2011 because they may be contaminated with E. coli (E.coli O157:H7). E.coli O157:H7 is an organism that may cause diarrheal illness often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly. The condition can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.


The recall extends only to the listed products with this Use-by Date and sold in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. No other Ready Pac Foods, Inc. products are included in the recall.


Here is a list of the recalled bagged salads, with the UPC (bar code) number. All are 10 ounces unless otherwise noted:


» Ready Pac Caesar Romaine, 0-77745-00202-6


» Ready Pac Santa Fe Caesar Complete Salad, 9.25 ounces, 0-77745-21404-7


» Ready Pac Classic Caesar Complete Salad, 0-77745-20566-3


» Ready Pac Bella Romaine, 0-77745-21407-8


» Dining In Classic Caesar Salad Kit, 0-11225-02530-3


» Raley's Caesar Romaine, 0-46567-71642-8


» Trader Joe's Romaine Salad, 0013-2145


» Trader Joe's Very American Salad, 16 ounces, 0020-7225


» Safeway Farms Caesar Romaine, 0-21130-98350-6


» Safeway Farms Hearts of Romaine, 9 ounces, 0-21130-98358-2


» Safeway Farms Complete Caesar Supreme, 0-21130-33677-7


» Safeway Farms Complete Southwestern Ranch, 10.25 ounces, 0-21130-33679-1


The lettuce is sold in 9- to 16-ounce bags under the labels Ready Pac, Trader Joe's, Safeway and Dining in Classic and sold in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Texas and Washington, the FDA said.


The affected bags, produced by Ready Pac Foods, Inc. have a use-by date of Nov. 18. The Irwindale, Calif.-based company voluntarily issued a recall after a random test found a strain of E. coli in the foods. No illnesses have been linked to the recalled salads, which were sold between Nov. 7 and 16.


Consumers should discard the products or return them to the place where they were purchased, health officials say. Safeway and Trader Joe's stores in the area said they will refund the sale price of any of the products, which they have pulled from the shelves.


No other Ready Pac Foods, Inc. products are included in the recall.


E. coli is usually caused by fecal contamination during processing, sometimes transported in water or due to improper food handling, according to the National Institutes for Health. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. Children and the elderly are particularly susceptible to life-threatening complications, health officials said.


Anyone who develops symptoms of E. coli, which include abdominal cramps and diarrhea, are advised to seek medical aid.