Food Lion recalls salad kits from all stores due to possible listeria contamination

Food Lion has announced a recall of “in-store prepared Cobb and Chef’s Salad Kits” due to concerns over listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Company officials say the recall involves salads sold at all of its more than 1,100 stores across 10 states in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic states.

The affected salads include any purchased from the deli department Dec. 26-Jan. 10, with a “sell by” date of Dec. 30-Jan. 10, officials said in a news release.

“Customers who purchased the affected product should not consume it and may return the item to their local Food Lion store for a refund equal to double the purchase price in accordance with Food Lion’s ‘Double Your Money Back Guarantee’,” company officials said.

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria linked to decaying vegetation, and it can be fatal to older adults, the very young and people with a compromised immune system, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“When people eat food contaminated with L. monocytogenes, they may develop a disease called listeriosis,” the FDA says.

“Depending on the severity of the illness, symptoms may last from days to several weeks. Mild symptoms may include a fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If the more severe form of listeriosis develops, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.”

Food Lion is based in Salisbury, North Carolina.

This story was originally published January 11, 2022 at 10:16 AM with the headline "Food Lion recalls salad kits from all stores due to possible listeria contamination."