Fresh Spinach Recalled

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http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/08/29/health/printable3219348.shtml

 

Spinach Tainted With Salmonella Recalled

 

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29, 2007(AP) A California produce company recalled bagged fresh

spinach Wednesday after it tested positive for salmonella.

 

There were no immediate reports of illness linked to the tainted spinach,

distributed by Metz Fresh LLC of King City, Calif. The recall comes nearly a

year after an outbreak of another pathogen, E. coli, in fresh spinach killed

three people and sickened another 200.

 

The recalled spinach was distributed throughout the 48 states and Canada and

sold in both retail and food service packages. It covers 8,118 cases of spinach,

although the company said more than 90 percent of that was on hold and would not

be released.

 

While only a single sample from one of three packing lines tested positive for

salmonella, the company said it moved to recall all the spinach packed that same

day as a precaution.

 

The recall covers 10- and 16-ounce bags, as well as 4-pound cartons and cartons

that contain four 2.5-pound bags, with the following tracking codes: 12208114,

12208214 and 12208314.

 

Consumers with questions can contact Metz Fresh at 831-386-1018.

 

Last year's E. coli outbreak prompted the Food and Drug Administration to warn

Americans not to eat fresh bagged spinach. It later lifted that warning after

tracing the contamination to spinach processed and packed by Natural Selection

Foods LLC in San Juan Bautista, Calif.

 

The incident prompted stricter monitoring procedures by growers and processors

and stepped-up inspections by California health officials.

 

Salmonella sickens about 40,000 people a year in the U.S. and kills about 600.

It can cause diarrhea, fever, dehydration, abdominal pain and vomiting. Most

cases of salmonella poisoning are caused by undercooked eggs and chicken.