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Listeria outbreak linked to Dole salad grows

FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2013, file photo, a sign marks the entrance to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Officials on Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, released the results of an internal probe into a deadly strain of bird flu that was accidentally mixed with a tamer strain. Unsuspecting scientists worked with the viral mix for months before it was discovered. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (AP/WOOD) –  The number of people sickened in a listeria outbreak linked to Dole salads has grown.

In an update Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said two more states have reported cases of illness.  The outbreak now includes 15 cases in eight states.  In Michigan, four people were sickened in the outbreak, including a Macomb County resident who died.

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it linked the outbreak to Dole salads this month after Ohio agriculture officials found listeria in a bag bought at a retail location.

A newspaper says inspection records show the southwestern Ohio facility that produced packaged salads linked to the outbreak had proper procedures in place in recent years to prevent illness.

Dole stopped all production at its Springfield plant and is withdrawing packaged salads on the market that were produced there.

The Springfield News-Sun reports a review of Ohio Department of Agriculture inspection reports from the facility from 2011 through last year show that no compliance issues were noted.

Records show the last inspection before the closure happened Feb. 5, 2015.

According to the CDC, the recalled salads’ manufacturing code start with the letter “A” and were sold under several brands, including:

  • Dole
  • Fresh Selections
  • Simple Truth
  • Marketside
  • The Little Salad Bar
  • President’s Choice

Online:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention