A company has been forced to recall 40 types of bagged spinach because of fears surrounding listeria, a kind of bacteria capable of causing an infection called listeriosis.
Each year, businesses and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall hundreds of products for a variety of reasons from mildly annoying to outright dangerous. Recalls don’t just apply to food and drinks either, as evidenced by the Starbucks mugs taken back in March.
The spinach recall affected one local store
Solata Foods, a retailer based in Newburgh, New York, has issued a recall of spinach products after listeria was found in a 9-ounce package of Bogopa Fresh Spinach. Production has been forced to close temporarily following the news.
Currently, the brand offers spinach products under several names including Solata, Gaia, Uncle Vinny’s, Full Circle, Bogopa, and Famer Direct.
While this could make identification more complicated, the FDA said the potentially contaminated products carry the serial numbers 40606 and 11006. They should have expiration dates of June 20 and June 24.
At the time of writing, no illnesses have been reported in connection to the spinach contamination. The spinach will now join the ranks of other products already recalled in 2024.
Listeria is a nasty bacteria
Listeria is a harmful bacteria that is predominantly contracted through the consumption of infected foods. While most food can carry the bug, it is usually found in unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses, and ready-to-eat foods like sandwiches. Fish, meat, and pre-cut fruit are also said to be a risk.
Though symptoms differ between people and the area of infection, common experiences include headaches, aches and stiffness, loss of balance, seizures, diarrhea, confusion, and even vomiting.
Though unpleasant for everyone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states it’s mostly serious for kids, pregnant people, old people, and the immune-compromised.
In the US alone, around 1,600 become infected annually, with 260 sadly losing their lives.
