The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed a multistate outbreak of Listeria, which led to 12 hospitalizations and one death, was linked to packaged salads from a Dole Food Company facility.

In an announcement today, the CDC said the illnesses were recorded between July 5 and Dec. 23 last year, across the states of Indiana (1), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (4), New Jersey (1), New York (4) and Pennsylvania (1).

"Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence available at this time indicates that packaged salads produced at the Dole processing facility in Springfield, Ohio and sold under various brand names are the likely source of this outbreak," the CDC said.

"On January 21, 2016, Dole reported to CDC that it had stopped production at the processing facility in Springfield, Ohio.

"The company also reported that it is withdrawing packaged salads currently on the market that were produced at this facility. The withdrawal does not affect other Dole products."

The CDC has recommended consumers not to eat, restaurants not to serve and retailers not to sell packaged salads produced at the Dole facility.

"These packaged salads were sold under various brand names, including Dole, Fresh Selections, Simple Truth, Marketside, The Little Salad Bar, and President's Choice," the CDC said.

"The packaged salads can be identified by the letter "A" at the beginning of the manufacturing code found on the package.

"At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that packaged salads produced at other Dole processing facilities in the United States are linked to illness."

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