Spinach Recall Issued Due to Listeria Contamination

Fresh spinach sold under the Krisp-Pak, Lancaster Fresh, Giant and America’s Choice labels is being recalled due to Listeria contamination fears. 

The spinach recall was announced on June 24 by the FDA, after a random sample test conducted by North Carolina food inspectors found Listeria monocytogenes in spinach produced by Lancaster Foods, LLC. There have been no reports of food poisoning associated with the recalled spinach.

The recall affects fresh spinach sold under the Krisp-Pak, Lancaster Fresh, Giant and America’s Choice labels with ‘Best Enjoyed By” dates of 19 JUN 10 through 27 JUN 10. The spinach was sold in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The recall is meant to alert both consumers and stores, since some of the spinach may still be on store shelves.

Specific products affected by the recall include:

• Ten-ounce packages of Krisp-Pak Hydro-Cooled Fresh Spinach, with Bag UPC codes 33383 and 65201
• Eight, ten and 12-ounce packages of Lancaster Fresh, Triple Washed, All Natural, Curly Leaf Spinach, with Bag UPC codes 13055 and 01145
• Ten-ounce packages of Giant Fresh Spinach, with Bag UPC codes 88267 and 09813
• Ten-ounce bags of America’s Choice, Spinach, Cold Water Washed, with Bag UPC codes of 54807 and 76060

The FDA recommends that Consumers check their refrigerators for any of the recalled spinach listed above, empty any spinach affected by the recall into the garbage, keep the package and contact Lancaster Foods at 1(800)247-8125.

Listeria infections, also known as listeriosis, pose a particular risk for children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. For pregnant women, illness from Listeria bacteria can cause miscarriages and still births. The fatality rate associated with listeriosis is about 25%.

Nearly three years ago, a 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. 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.