U.S. Justice Dept. Investigates Dole Over Deadly Listeria Outbreak

WESTLAKE VILLAGE (CBSLA.com) — The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into Dole Food Company, based in Westlake Village, following a deadly listeria outbreak.

The contamination was linked to packaged salad products from Dole's processing plant in Springfield, Ohio.

Four of the 33 people in the United States and Canada, who became ill from May 2015 to February 2016, have died.

Symptoms of listeria include fever, chills, muscle aches, severe headache, vomiting, diarrhea and other flu-like symptoms.

Legal analyst Steve Meister said if Dole is eventually handed charges, the more likely ones would include conspiracy or negligence.

"It could even be a level of criminal negligence saying you knew enough that you should've done something to prevent this, and you didn't do it, and you didn't do it because you didn't want to lose money," Meister said.

According to a Food and Drug Administration report, Dole, one of the world's largest fresh produce processor, knew there was evidence of potentially dangerous bacteria at its Springfield plant a year before it recalled its products.

Federal inspectors claimed Dole failed to adequately test its plant for possible contamination. The company said it had already corrected the problem.

In January, the produce company stopped production at its Ohio facility and voluntarily removed products from stores in 23 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces.

Dole could not be reached for comment, but part of a statement on its website reads: "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."