‘Fresh Spinach’ Recalled Due to Bacterial Contamination Fatal to Babies

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

New York-based Solata Foods recalled some of its “Fresh Spinach” products from the market following concerns about bacterial contamination, while the company ceased all production of the item.

The recall was initiated because the food items “may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems,” said the June 27 FDA recall notice.

The recalled “Fresh Spinach” items have lot numbers 40606 and 11006 with the listed expiration date of June 20, 2024, and June 24, 2024. UPC codes of the products are given on the website.

“Although healthy persons may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, L. monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women,” the FDA warned. No illnesses have so far been reported.

The recalled items were sold under the brand names Solata, Gaia Organic, Full Circle Organic, Farmer Direct, Uncle Vinny’s, and Bogopa.

Customers who had bought the item are advised to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. People with queries on the matter can contact Solata Foods at [phone].

The contamination was suspected after a Bogopa “Fresh Spinach” product sample tested by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Market Food Inspectors was shown to contain L. monocytogenes.

The company has suspended production currently.

The Solata Foods notice was issued after multiple other products were recalled for Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

On June 24, Totally Cool, Inc. recalled several brands of ice cream products after the FDA discovered contamination in one of the samples. The company ceased production and distribution of the impacted items and took preventive actions.

In May, Hormel Foods Sales recalled some of its nut products—honey-roasted peanuts and a mixed nuts item.

Listeria Outbreaks

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported four listeria outbreaks in 2022 and three in 2023. This year so far, one outbreak has been reported.

The 2024 outbreak was detailed in a CDC food safety alert issued on April 10. Queso fresco and cotija cheese made by Rizo-Lopez Foods were identified as being responsible for the outbreak. Recalled items included yogurts, crema, and cheeses.

The outbreak resulted in 26 illnesses, 23 hospitalizations, and two deaths across 11 states. The CDC has officially declared the outbreak over.

According to the agency, symptoms of listeria infection vary depending on the person who is infected and the part of the body that is affected. When the infection has spread beyond the intestine, it is said to be an invasive illness.

The symptoms of invasive listeria infection tend to start within two weeks of eating food contaminated with the bacteria. Symptoms include fever, seizures, confusion, loss of balance, muscle aches, fatigue, and confusion.

“Symptoms in non-pregnant people can be severe. Almost 1 in 20 non-pregnant people with invasive listeriosis die,” the agency states.

Listeria can also cause intestinal illness, which is rarely diagnosed since labs tend not to test patient stool samples. This type of illness can start within 24 hours of eating foods contaminated with the bacteria. It usually lasts for one to three days.

CDC estimates listeria infection to be the third leading cause of death from foodborne illnesses in the United States. Getting infected during pregnancy can result in newborn deaths in roughly three percent of cases and fetal loss in around 20 percent of cases.

The agency advised people who have eaten food that has been recalled or linked to a listeria outbreak to get in touch with a health care provider. The urgency is increased if the person is pregnant, has a weakened immune system, or is aged 65 and above.