They Dole it out, and we have to swallow it?

I’m HEAPING mad. I mean….I’m FUMING over the news that is breaking across the internet right now about the Dole Federal investigation. I think you will be just as outraged when you hear what’s happening.

According to Food Safety News, the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating Dole in relation to the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that occurred in January 2016. Why the investigation? Well, apparently, Dole knew about the Listeria in their processing plants, and kept on producing leaving 33 people desperately ill and 4 dead in the wake of their disregard.

This from the Food Safety News website:

“Company officials knew the salad plant was contaminated with Listeria for a year and a half before they shut it down — then they only took action after the U.S. and Canadian governments traced a deadly outbreak to the facility.

Inspection reports (483) obtained by Food Safety News revealed the timeline of positive Listeria results and inaction. Dole Fresh Vegetables Inc. finally suspended production at its salad plant in Springfield, OH, on Jan. 21 this year after a random test by state officials showed a bagged salad contained Listeria monocytogenes.

By that time, at least 33 people in the U.S. and Canada had been sickened with the same strain of Listeria as was found when Ohio inspectors tested the Dole salad they collected from a retailer. All 33 victims had such severe symptoms that required hospitalization. Four of them died.

Dole restarted production at the plant in Springfield, OH, on April 21. Company officials won’t say what was done to clean the plant or how they plan to prevent future contamination there.”

In our opinion, this is UNFORGIVABLE. How could the innocent lives of citizens be put in this type of situation, trusting that the foods being ‘packaged’ and ‘triple washed’ for them would be safe?

It’s the kind of stuff that, honestly, keeps me up at night.

The CDC says rinsing with water is enough. And so does the FDA and the USDA. But have you ever, ever just rinsed your body in the shower? Or rinsed your hair to clean it? Or rinsed your grimy plates off? According to a Consumer Reports story, samples of bagged salads showed high bacteria counts, usually indications of poor sanitation and fecal contamination.

That means poo, for us lay people.

When do we say ENOUGH.
Enough telling us rinsing with water is ok.
Enough trusting big food companies and taking action only when a recall happens.

Enough to allowing complete negligence for profit overrule the need to keep families healthy

They Dole it out and we’re just supposed to swallow?

The most deadly food borne illness outbreak in the world and the biggest one in the US have happened in the last few years, but we are still not being advised to use anything but water. Sadly, it may take a federal investigation with a massive company like Dole before policy takes real action surrounding the issues with bacteria infection.

So, what do I do, you’re asking yourself.

  • Ask your restaurant server how they washed their produce.
  • Ask your juice bar how they washed their produce.
  • Ask the service person at your local salad bar how they washed their produce.
  • Wash your own the RIGHT way, with a product that is lab proven and non-toxic.

If it’s raw, you are at significantly greater risk of getting food borne illness.
If you’re eating organic raw produce, you’re at an even greater risk.

Please share this as a PSA to help your friends and family avoid getting sick. Together, we can help spread the word of clean eating and helping each other enjoy cleaner, safer fresh fruit and vegetables.

 

 


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