On December 20, 2021, Fresh Express recalled external icon packaged salads produced at its facility in Streamwood, Illinois, since November 20, 2021. On December 16, 2021, the Michigan Department of Agriculture external icon identified the outbreak strain of Listeria in a bag of Fresh Express Sweet Hearts Romaine Lettuce Sweet Butter Lettuce packaged salad collected from a grocery store during routine sampling. This means that people in this outbreak likely got sick from the same food. WGS showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples are closely related genetically. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS). CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. Investigators are working to get more information about the brands and types of packaged salads eaten by sick people. Two ill people specifically reported eating Fresh Express brand salads. Of the five people interviewed, four (80%) reported eating packaged salads of various types. State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the month before they got sick. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Listeria. The true number of sick people in an outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses.

One death has been reported from Pennsylvania. Sick people range in age from 44 to 95 years, with a median age of 80, and 60% are female. Illnesses started on dates ranging from Jthrough Octo(see timeline). Epidemiologic DataĪs of December 21, 10 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from eight states (see map). Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections.Įpidemiologic and laboratory data show that Fresh Express packaged salads may be contaminated with Listeria and may be making people sick. On December 20, 2021, Fresh Express recalled external icon packaged salads produced at its facility in Streamwood, Illinois.ĬDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. The packaged salad was produced at the Fresh Express facility in Streamwood, Illinois. On December 16, 2021, the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development external icon identified the outbreak strain of Listeria in a bag of Fresh Express Sweet Hearts packaged salad collected from a grocery store during routine sampling. This suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from the same food. WGS showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples were closely related genetically. Public health investigators used the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that were part of this outbreak. Of the five people interviewed, four (80%) reported eating packaged salads of various types and two specifically reported eating Fresh Express brand salads. State and local public health officials interviewed people (or their family) about the foods they ate in the month before they got sick. One death was reported from Pennsylvania. Sick people ranged in age from 44 to 95 years, with a median age of 80, and 60% were female.

Illnesses started on dates ranging from July 26, 2016, to Octo(see timeline). This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Listeria. The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not have been limited to the states with known illnesses.

Epidemiologic DataĪ total of 10 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes were reported from eight states (see map). Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigated a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections.Įpidemiologic and laboratory data showed that packaged salads produced by Fresh Express were contaminated with Listeria and made people sick.Īs of March 8, 2022, this outbreak is over. CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S.

Listeria outbreak packaged salads