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Fresh Spinach Recalled for Listeria

By Dan Flynn and Suzanna Schreck

Routine Spinach sampling by the North Carolina Department of Food & Drug Protection came back positive for Listeria monocytogenes and sparked a multi-state recall this week.

Fresh Spinach sold under the brand names of Krisp-Pak, Lancaster Fresh, Giant, and America's Choice and distributed in a half dozen states are being recalled by Maryland-based Lancaster Foods LLC.

Best buy dates of 19 JUN 10 through 27 JUN 10 are included in the recall.  The brands were sold in New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia.

No illnesses have yet been associated with the Spinach recall.

Symptoms of Listeria infection include high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.  Listeria can cause serious and even fatal infections in children, the elderly, and others with weakened immune systems.

Listeria can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.

Anyone with symptoms should see a doctor.

In a statement, Lancaster said the Fresh Spinach could still be on store shelves or was recently purchased.  The company asked consumers to check their refrigerators for spinach included in the recall.

The Use-by Date is found on the front of the package in the upper right hand corner.

"Consumers who may have potentially affected product are asked to empty the contents of the package into your garbage, save the package, and contact a Lancaster Foods, LLC consumer representative toll-free at (800) 247-8125 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.," the statement said.

Lancaster urged retailers to reconfirm with their distribution centers and all individual stores to ensure that no product remains in their inventory or at store locations.

A letter with instructions has been sent to Lancaster's retail customers.

Full post as published by Food Safety News on June 26, 2010 (boomark / email).