Dole Fresh Vegetables recalls bagged spinach in US over Salmonella contamination risk

Dole Fresh Vegetables has voluntarily recalled their bagged salad, named Dole Spinach, over a possible health risk from Salmonella contamination.

The recalled 33,600 bags of Dole Spinach were distributed to 13 states in the US, namely Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

The voluntary recall was issued after a random sample test of Dole Spinach, conducted by the laboratory division of Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, found presence of Salmonella.

The products being recalled carry codes of A27409B & A27409A, with an ‘Enjoy By’ date of October 2015 and UPC 7143000976.

Although no illnesses have been reported, the company has recommended consumers discard these products. It is also coordinating closely with the regulatory agency.

Dole Fresh vegetables has stated that baby spinach, nor any other salads are part of this recall.

Salmonella can cause foodborne illness that can last for four to seven days. Children and people with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to this risk. The symptoms of Salmonella infection includes fever and gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Spinach has been often found to be involved in food contamination outbreaks. Almost 200 people were made ill in 26 states in 2006, while 33 people were infected in five states in 2012, reported Yahoo.

Even if a label carries that the bagged spinach has been pre-washed, it is not enough to remove bacteria; rather the process only removes dirt from leaves.