A potential listeria contamination has led Fresh Express to recall some of its bagged spinach. The recall affects 8-ounce bags of its spinach as well as 9-ounce bags of Publix Spinach. The products are labeled with the product code “G332,” according to a statement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The Florida Department of Agriculture detected a positive result for listeria on a “randomly selected” package of spinach as part of its routine sampling activities. This is what prompted the recall, the statement said.
Fresh Express, in collaboration with the FDA, immediately notified affected retailers to remove the recalled items from store shelves and all inventories. The affected Fresh Express Spinach packages have a Universal Product Code (UPC) of “0 71279 13204 4” and a Dec. 15 expiration date. On the other hand, the Publix Spinach bags have a UPC of “0 41415 00886 1” and an expiration date of Dec. 14.
The potentially affected Fresh Express Spinach bags were distributed to retailers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. Meanwhile, Publix Spinach bags with the product code “G332” were distributed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
A leading cause of severe illness and death in the U.S., listeria is a species of bacteria that can survive in refrigerator temperatures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that listeria can be found in soil, water, and even animal feces. Food, including fresh produce, can become contaminated with listeria if not handled or cooked properly. The CDC also warns that pregnant women, adults over 65, and people with weakened immune systems are at increased risk of listeria infections.
The recall notice said that “In the event customers have the recalled products in their refrigerators, they should be discarded and not consumed.” So far, no illnesses linked to the recall have been reported. Nevertheless, both Fresh Express and Publix advise consumers to be vigilant and not to consume spinach with the affected product codes and expiration dates.