Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, E. coli can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.

In a nationwide alert, the FDA warns consumers against eating three brands labeled with production codes beginning with B250 and "best-if-used by" dates as follows:

The "best-if-used-by" code date appears in the upper right hand corner of the front of the bag.

Illnesses have been associated with consumption of Dole salad products purchased from a single grocery store chain, Rainbow Foods, in its Minnesota locations.

While it is unlikely that stores still have this product on their shelves, FDA notes, consumers may have it in their refrigerators. Consumers who have any of the three packaged salads listed should throw them away.

Source and Scope of the Problem

To date there have been reports of eleven cases of illness attributed to E. coli O157 in Minnesota. Of these eleven cases, two individuals have been hospitalized. The latest reported illness was September 19, 2005.

However, salad products containing the affected production codes also are distributed nationwide, the FDA says.

"Given the severity of this illness, FDA believes an urgent warning to consumers is needed," says Dr. Robert Brackett, director of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

"FDA is working closely with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our state partners to further identify the source of the problem and its scope," he adds.

Serious Kidney Damage

Dole Food Company has issued a recall for the implicated salad products, according to the FDA. No other Dole salad products are involved. Dole is working cooperatively with the FDA to minimize any further risk to consumers.

E. coli O157:H7 infection often causes severe bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps; sometimes the infection causes non-bloody diarrhea or no symptoms. Usually little or no fever is present.

Individuals who may have experienced any of the above symptoms after eating these salad products should contact their physician or local department of health, advises the FDA.

Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, the infection can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to serious kidney damage and even death. Children under five years of age and the elderly are particularly vulnerable.