Personal Injury Law

Recalled Salmonella Spinach Sent To Dozen States, Canada

By Jane Akre

Salinas Spinach

Two brands of bunched spinach from California have tested positive for the bacteria, salmonella.

The California Department of Public Health has identified the contamination among the greens grown by Ippolito International of Salinas. So far 1,715 cartons of spinach have been recalled. No illnesses have been reported.

The spinach was harvested earlier this month and sold to wholesale, retail, and to food service companies.

Look for the "Queen Victoria" label.

States receiving the salmonella spinach include, California, Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and in Canada, British Columbia, Ontario and Manitoba.

A test by the Michigan Department of Agriculture found the food borne bacteria.

Also affected is the "Tubby" label of spinach distributed in California and New York, reports AP.

Look for 12-count and 24-count bunches in cardboard boxes. "Spinach" is printed on the crate.

In July, the Obama administration issued a draft guidance for improved food safety and to find tainted food earlier.

Salmonella sickness affects the intestinal tract with a bacterial infection that can cause cramps, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. If the salmonella organism infects the bloodstream it can produce more severe illness such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis. The very young and those with a compromised immune system are most at risk.

Ippolito International identified the harvest lot and all buyers who received the product. No other product should remain in inventory, says the FDA.

In the past year, salmonella has contaminated peppers, peanut butter, melons, beef, spinach, and green onions.

Salmonella bacteria come from the intestinal tract of animals, birds, reptiles and insects. People can be contaminated from pet turtles, farm animals, and pets, and should always wash their hands after petting animals.

A leading theory is that the contamination comes from concentrated industrial agriculture or "factory-farms" and the feces containing run-off then contaminates nearby agricultural fields.

More from the FDA on the spinach lot numbers:

The 12 and 24 count spinach bunches were bound with a twist tie which says "Queen Victoria Spinach Produce of USA PLU 4090 UPC 33383 65200."

The cartons were labeled with the following Code Date Stickers which can be located on the outside edge panel of the carton. The stickers read as follows:

10522441
5 205
(Harvested September 1, 2009)

10522451
5 205
(Harvested September 2, 2009)

10522461
5 205
(Harvested September 3, 2009)

The "Tubby" product was packed in cardboard cartons with "Tubby" printed on the side panel. The cartons were labeled with the following Code Date Stickers which can be located on the outside edge panel of the carton. The stickers read as follows:

10522451
5 205
(Harvested September 2, 2009)

The 24 count spinach bunches packed in the "Tubby" label were distributed in California and New York. They were bound with a generic bunched spinach twist tie which says "Spinach Produce of USA PLU 4090 UPC 33383 65200." #

Full post as published by InjuryBoard on September 21, 2009 (boomark / email).