US Justice Department initiates criminal probe on Dole Food over Listeria outbreak

The US Justice Department has launched a criminal probe on Dole Food over a Listeria outbreak that led to four deaths in the US and Canada, as well as multiple illnesses.

The probe is regarding an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes associated with packaged salad items manufactured at its facility in Springfield, Ohio.

Dole Food stated that it was cooperating with the probe.

After its salads produced at the plant were linked to illnesses and deaths, the firm put a stop to production in January at its Ohio facility and voluntarily recalled products from stores in 23 US states and three Canadian provinces, reported Foodingredientsfirst.com.

Commenting on the FDA’s observation reports, the company stated in its website: "Those FDA reports deal with issues at our plant that we have corrected.

"We have been working in collaboration with the FDA and other authorities to implement ongoing improved testing, sanitation and procedure enhancements, which have resulted in the recent reopening of our Springfield salad plant.

"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."