BrightFarms, a New York-based company, has issued a recall of its baby spinach and salad kits in seven states due to possible Listeria contamination. The recall was prompted by positive test results for Listeria monocytogenes from routine sampling of spinach at supplier Element Farms.
The affected products include four-ounce BrightFarms Baby Spinach containers with specific January by-dates and UPC codes, as well as various salad kits such as BrightFarms Mediterranean, Chickpea Caesar, Bacon Ranch ‘Crunch,’ and Southwest kits with varying UPC codes.
Element Farms supplied the baby spinach under recall, while the salad kits may have been cross-contaminated at a BrightFarms facility in Pennsylvania. The company emphasized that no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled products and stated that the voluntary recall was issued as a precautionary measure to prioritize consumer health and safety.
Listeriosis, an infection caused by consuming food contaminated with Listeria bacteria, poses a higher risk to pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Retailers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia have been instructed to remove the recalled products from their shelves. Consumers who have purchased the affected items are advised not to consume them, but to either discard the products or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
It is crucial for consumers to stay informed about product recalls and take appropriate action to ensure their well-being. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
