Baby Spinach Sold in New Jersey Recalled Over Salmonella Fears

One of the largest baby spinach suppliers to New Jersey, VegPro International, has issued a recall of its Fresh Attitude baby spinach because the product could be contaminated with salmonella. No illnesses have been reported, according to a spokesperson for VegPro.

The spinach, processed in the company’s Canadian plant, was shipped to New Jersey and five other northeast states:  Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, New York, and Maryland. It was packaged in 5- and 11-ounce clear plastic containers with “best before” dates of Dec. 4 (11-ounce) and Dec. 4 and 5 (5-ounce).

Salmonella, according to the CDC, hits about 1.3 million Americans each year, hospitalizes 26,500, usually with bloody diarrhea, and kills about 450.

Symptoms of salmonella infection include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In the most severe cases, it can cause death.

Consumers who have purchased the Fresh Attitude spinach involved in the recall should return it to the store where they purchased it for a refund, or throw it away.

Don’t think you can avoid illness by rinsing your greens. “While rinsing may get rid of some of the bacteria, it won’t remove all of it,” says James Rogers, PhD, from Consumer Reports....

Ingesting even just small amounts of salmonella bacteria can lead to illness. Cooking does kill salmonella, but in the case of a recall, you don’t want to take a chance. I always use the family test in situations like these, would I feel safe feeding this product to my family? In this case, the answer is no.”

Source: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention/ Consumer Reports/FDA