Spinach Recall Issued Due to Risk of Salmonella Food Poisoning

More than 1,700 cartons of bunched spinach shipped to 12 states and Canada have been recalled because they may be contaminated with salmonella bacteria, posing a risk that consumers could suffer severe food poisoning if the spinach is eaten.

The FDA announced the spinach recall issued by Ippolito International, LP of Salinas, California, on September 18. Approximately 1,515 cartons of the spinach were sold under the “Queen Victoria” brand, and another 200 cartons were sold under the “Tubby” label. The spinach was harvested between September 1 and September 3, and distributed to Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York and British Columbia, Ontario and Manitoba, Canada.

Although no illnesses have been reported in connection to the recall, contaminated spinach has the potential to cause widespread illness and even death.

The “Tubby” and “Queen Victoria” spinach salmonella contamination was detected by random testing in Michigan when the USDA Microbial Data Program sent a sample to the Michigan Department of Agriculture, where it was analyzed and the contamination traced back to Ippolito.

The Queen Victoria spinach was packed in cardboard cartons with “Spinach” printed on the side, and the 12 and 24 count bunches are tied together with a twist tie with printing that reads “Queen Victoria Produce of USA PLU 4090 UPC 33383 65200.” A Code Date Sticker on the edge panel of the cartons will say that the spinach was harvested on September 1, 2 or 3, 2009.

The Tubby brand spinach was shipped in cardboard cartons with the word “Tubby” on the side, and the 24 count bunches are tied together with a twist tie with printing that reads “Spinach Produce of USA PLU 4090 UPC 33383 65200.” A Code Date Sticker on the edge panel of the cartons will say that the spinach was harvested on September 2, 2009.

Nearly three years ago, another massive spinach recall was issued due to contamination with a E. coli bacteria. More than 200 people were sickened as a result of that contamination and 3 deaths were linked to consuming the tainted spinach.

Following the 2006 recall for spinach, the California growers industry put forward the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, which lists specific safety measures that growers would take to prevent future outbreaks. Ippolito is a signatory to that covenant, but the agreement has been criticized by a number of groups who say it is too weak because participation is voluntary, and that it is environmentally unfriendly. The Consumers Union and others have pressed the FDA to enact sweeping food safety reforms that would be mandatory and nationwide.