Fresh Express Spinach Bag Recall Issued Due to Salmonella

Due to a potential risk of salmonella poisoning, a recall has been issued for Fresh Express bagged spinach, which may have been distributed in at least 13 states and the District of Columbia.

The Fresh Express spinach bags recall was announced on Tuesday by the FDA and the manufacturer after a positive test result for salmonella was discovered during random sample testing.

Nearly 3,000 cases of 9 oz Bag Spinach are affected by the recall, with Use-By Dates of April 6 and April 7. The spinach bags contain Product Codes starting with H081 and H082 and a UPC Code of 7127913204.

According to Fresh Express, the spinach bags were distributed directly to Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachuessets and Maine. However, it is possible that the bagged spinach may have been redistributed to New Jersey, Virginia, Delaware, New Hampshire, West Virginia, Ohio and Washington, D.C.

Although the manufacturer indicates that they are unaware of any reports of food poisoning from the recalled spinach bags, salmonella contamination may cause symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain or fever. Although most healthy adults typically recover within a few days or weeks, young children, the elderly and individuals with compromised immune systems may be more susceptible to severe food poisoning. If left untreated, salmonella food poisoning may lead to hospitalization, dehydration or even death.

More than five years ago, a massive spinach recall was issued due to E. coli contamination, which is a different type of bacteria commonly associated with food poisoning. That recall, was linked to more than 200 illnesses and at least three deaths.