Australian Child Among Over 100 Sick From Contaminated Spinach, Recall Announced

Baby spinach grows in a field. David Paul Morris/Getty Images

An Australian child has been admitted to hospital after eating a toxic batch of spinach. 

The Queensland child is one of more than 100 people across Australia who have reported a possible food-related toxic reaction after eating the “Riviera Farms” branded baby spinach.

NSW Health on Dec. 17 said that 88 people in the state have fallen ill and at least 33 people have sought medical help after consuming the products.

“NSW Health advises the recalled products are not safe to consume and people who have purchased these recalled products should throw them out or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund,” it said in a statement.

Up to 11 Victorians have reported food poisonings from consuming the spinach, while Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Health are also looking into multiple possible cases.

Australian supermarket giant Coles has joined Woolworths, CostCo, Aldi, and Riviera Farms in recalling spinach products potentially contaminated with unsafe plant material, while Food Standards Australia New Zealand is working through the supply chain with relevant jurisdictions to ensure any other affected products are identified.

“Consumers should not eat the recalled products and should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund,” Food Standards Australia New Zealand said on Dec. 17.

Meanwhile, Queensland Health urged people “not to consume a number of baby spinach products following cases of possible food-related toxic reactions reported across the state.” 

The national recall includes bags of spinach sold through Costco in New South Wales, Victoria, and the ACT with use-by dates from Dec. 16 up to and including Dec. 28.

Recalled products are the following:

• Coles Baby Spinach 60g
• Coles Lettuce Spinach 120g
• Coles Salad Family Baby Spinach 280g
• Coles Chef Blend Tender Leaf Blend 150g
• Coles Australian Salad Family baby Leaf Blend 300g
• Coles Kitchen Green Goddess Salad 300g
• Coles Kitchen Roast Pipkin Feta & Walnut Salad 265g
• Coles Kitchen Chicken BLT Salad Bowl 280g 
• Coles kitchen Smokey Mexican Salad 280g
• Coles Kitchen Salads Green Goddess Salad 250g
• Coles Kitchens Egg and Spinach Pots 100g 
• Riviera Farms Baby Spinach
• Aldi Fresh Salad Co Fresh and Fast Stir Fry
• Woolworths Chicken Cobb Salad and Chickpea Falafel Salad

Customers consuming the contaminated spinach have reported symptoms including delirium or confusion, hallucinations, dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat, flushed face, blurred vision, dry mouth and skin, and fever. 

Riviera Farms said in a statement on Dec. 16, “It appears these products, which were grown on a farm in Victoria and shipped to stores in NSW, have been contaminated with a weed which can have health consequences if consumed.” 

“Riviera Farms has been in the business of providing fresh food since the 1880s and we are saddened to confirm that we have likely had our first ever significant contamination incident.”

Samples have been sent to laboratories for testing.

The company further noted it has been working proactively with retailers and regulators to identify, and recall, potentially contaminated spinach products from shelves.

“Riviera Farms can confirm that on Thursday and Friday we contacted all 20 of our baby spinach customers via phone, in writing, or both,” they said.

“Riviera Farms’ only direct major retail customer is Costco.

Anyone who is concerned about exposure to the spinach is encouraged to contact the NSW Poisons Information Centre of 13 1 26, and anybody having severe symptoms is urged to visit their nearest emergency department, or contact triple zero. 

AAP contributed to this article.