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Dole Spinach Recall: Bagged Spinach Recalled In 13 States Over Salmonella Risk

By Lindsay McCane
Published on: 03:27 PST, Oct 15, 2015

Dole spinach has been recalled in 13 states due to a possible salmonella risk.

Dole Fresh Vegetables made the decision to voluntarily recall their bagged spinach after it was discovered that they may be contaminated with salmonella. Company spokesman William Goldfield said there have been no illnesses reported so far, and they are cooperating fully with the Food and Drug Administration, USA Today reported, via MSN. They have already started contacting retailers to make sure they pull the items off of their shelves.

Goldfield said approximately 2,800 cases, which equals 33,600 bags, were affected in the recall. The recalled Dole spinach has the codes A27409B and A27409A stamped on it, with an Enjoy By date of October 15 and UPC 7143000976. The bags were distributed to Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. None of the bags of baby spinach or any other salad products are included in the recall. Only those with the specific codes and labels are affected in the voluntary recall.

The recall was issued after a random sampling of spinach was tested at Dole’s facility in Springfield, Ohio, by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, Laboratory Division. The results of the test were positive for salmonella.

“The FDA told us about the test yesterday and we immediately began recalling the product,” Goldfield said. “I believe the FDA is going through the plant right now, and we expect to get back up and running soon.”

According to WebMD, salmonella can be transmitted to people through contaminated food or animals. It is a type of food poisoning that is caused by the Salmonella enterica bacterium. Young children, older adults, and people who have a weakened immune system are the most likely to develop severe infections. Symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. The symptoms first show themselves 12 to 72 hours after the person first becomes infected. They can last anywhere from four to seven days.

Some people infected with salmonella can develop Reiter’s syndrome, a disease that can last for months or years and can lead to chronic arthritis. Most individuals completely recover after a few days, but with the diarrhea and dehydration risks associated with the illness, some may have to seek treatment at a hospital or other medical facility.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that salmonella is a recurring problem in the United States. Each year, it is estimated that one million people contract the illness in the U.S., with 19,000 having to be hospitalized and 380 deaths.

According to the official press release, customers who have the recalled bagged spinach are being asked to throw it away, and not consume it. Any retailer or customer with questions can contact the Dole Food Company Consumer Response Center at (800) 356-3111, which is open 8:00 am to 3:00 pm (PT) Monday – Friday.

Dole is the latest company to recall a product due to possible salmonella contamination. As the Inquisitr previously reported, Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce voluntarily recalled their cucumbers in early September as a precaution after 300 people fell ill and two people died. The cucumbers were determined to have been imported from Mexico and distributed by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce. Reports state that 134 ill people were interviewed by the CDC, and 91 of them reported eating cucumbers sometime in the week before they became sick.

[Photo via Food and Drug Administration]

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