Dole salads tied to E. coli outbreak

WASHINGTON – The Food and Drug Administration is warning people not to eat certain Dole pre-packaged salads that have been connected to an outbreak of E. coli infections in Minnesota.

The 11 reported illnesses have all been associated with Dole salads bought at Rainbow Foods grocery store outlets in the state. But salads carrying the same production codes have been distributed nationwide, prompting the national warning, the FDA said.

The affected Dole products are:

* Classic Romaine, with a “best-if-used-by (BIUB)” date of Sept. 23, 2005, and a production code beginning with “B250.”

* American Blend, with a “best-if-used-by (BIUB)” date of Sept. 23, 2005, and a production code beginning with “B250.”

* Greener Selection, with a “best-if-used-by (BIUB)” date of Sept. 22, 2005, and a production code beginning with “B250.”