To:               Health Commissioners, Environmental Health Directors, Nursing Directors, ODA Food Safety Specialist, and Other Interested Parties

Subject:        Recall Announcement  (ODA/ODH) 2001-04

Date:            February 6, 2001       

Consumer Alert - Dole Cole Slaw Urgent Product Recall

NEW YORK CITY, NY - February 2, 2001 - Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. today issued an alert to consumers not to consume certain packages of Dole Cole Slaw distributed by Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc., Salinas, CA 93902. One package was found by Inspectors from the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets to indicate the presence of Salmonella.

No illness resulting from the consumption of this product has been reported.

The cole slaw is packaged with the code "BEST IF USED BY 02 05 01."

The product was distributed to the following markets: Iowa, Tennessee, Mississippi, Nebraska, Missouri, California, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvanian, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Massachusetts, Oregon, Georgia, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Texas, Colorado, South Dakota, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Carolina.

Inspectors from the Department of Agriculture and Markets sampled the product at a Westchester County retail food store during a routine inspection. Laboratory analysis indicated the presence of Salmonella typhimurium. Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience symptoms similar to a bad case of the flu.

Consumers are urged to check if they have this product with this code date and to discard the product or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund or substitute product. Consumers with questions may contact the Dole Consumer Information Center at 1-800-356-3111.