The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) launched a criminal investigation against Dole Foods Co. for a listeria outbreak earlier this year. The outbreak was linked to four deaths and dozens of illnesses.
“Dole has recently been contacted by the Department of Justice in connection with its own investigation, and we will be similarly cooperating with the DOJ to answer questions and address any concerns,” the food company said in a statement Friday.
Dole Foods is withdrawing the sale of its packaged salads in three Canadian provinces and more than 20 U.S. states. They notified the CDC on January 21 that they had stopped production at a processing facility in Springfield, Ohio.
“CDC recommends that consumers do not eat, restaurants do not serve, and retailers do not sell packaged salads produced at the Dole processing facility in Springfield, Ohio,” the CDC said.
