Fresh Express Recalls Spinach Products
Fresh Express, the salad-mix maker known for previous outbreaks, is issuing a recall for two packaged spinach products due to possible listeria contamination. The recall affects retailers in seven states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
The affected products are:
- 8-ounce packages of Fresh Express Spinach with the product code G332 and use-by date of December 15
- 9-ounce packages of Publix Spinach with the product code G332 and expired use-by date of December 14
The Fresh Express Spinach has a UPC code of 0 71279 13204 4 and was distributed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. The recalled Publix Spinach has a UPC code of 0 41415 00886 1 and was distributed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
The recall was initiated after listeria was discovered during routine sampling by the Florida Department of Agriculture.
Outbreak of Illnesses Linked to Fresh Express Salads
A recent recall notice has highlighted the potential dangers of consuming Fresh Express salads. The company has issued a recall due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can cause serious infections, especially in vulnerable individuals. This includes the young, frail, elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
The symptoms of Listeria infection can range from short-term discomfort such as fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, to more serious complications such as miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant individuals.
Past Incidents Involving Fresh Express Salads
This is not the first time that Fresh Express has faced issues with their salads. In 2018, an outbreak of intestinal illnesses occurred, affecting 511 individuals across 15 states and New York City. The outbreak was linked to salads sold at McDonald's restaurants, with all 511 cases being associated with consumption of these salads in the Midwest. The outbreak resulted in 24 hospitalizations, but fortunately, there were no deaths.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the presence of cyclospora, a parasite, at a Fresh Express processing plant in Streamwood, Illinois.
Another incident occurred in June 2020, when Fresh Express recalled bags of salad produced at the Streamwood plant due to cyclospora infections. This outbreak affected a total of 701 people across 14 states, with 38 individuals requiring hospitalization.
It is important to stay informed about food recalls and outbreaks to protect our health and well-being. Regularly checking for updates from the FDA and CDC can help ensure that we make safe choices when it comes to our food.
Fresh Express Recalls Salad Mixes Due to Listeria Contamination
The well-known salad brand, Fresh Express, has issued a recall for 10 brands of salad mixes after listeria was discovered in a sample test. The affected products were produced at the company's plant in Streamwood.
This recall comes after the products were linked to an outbreak that resulted in 10 hospitalizations and one death, according to the CDC. More information about the outbreak can be found here.
In a more recent incident, Fresh Express also recalled expired fresh salad kits in April of this year. The precautionary recall was initiated due to potential health risks associated with the expired products. Additional details about this recall can be found here.
