Bags of Organic Baby Spinach Recalled due to Salmonella Positive Test

Bags of organic baby spinach produced in California are being recalled due to a positive test result for Salmonella. The test was conducted by US Department of Ag. There are no known illnesses at this point. Product was packed under tow different brands and those shipped to over 20 states.

Interesting, the packer of the spinach, Taylor Farms, was the pioneer of Smartwash.
http://www.newleaffoods.com/index.html
Smartwash, a produce washing system, was developed to reduce the level of pathogenic bacteria that can become associated with produce such as spinach in the field (think birds).  There is an original formula and an organic formula.

Salmonella test leads to Taylor Farms spinach recall
The Packer 05/23/2012 9:26:49 AM
http://www.thepacker.com/fruit-vegetable-news/Salmonella-test-leads-to-Taylor-Farms-spinach-recall-153078505.html
Mike Hornick

Taylor Farms Retail Inc. is voluntarily recalling organic baby spinach after a random sample tested positive for salmonella by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The product appeared in 5-ounce clamshells under the Private Selection label and 10-ounce clamshells with the Marketside label. Best-by dates are May 25, according to a news release.

No illnesses have been reported. The recalled items shipped from Salinas, Calif.-based Taylor Farms Retail Inc., on May 9 and May 10, according to the release.

The brands are private labels: Wal-Mart has Marketside and Kroger Co. has Private Selection.

The Private Selection product was distributed in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. The UPC numbers are 0-11110-91128-5; package codes are TFRS 130B 1503 KT34 and TFRS 130B 1803 KT34.

The Marketside product was distributed in Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. The Universal Produce Code is 6-8113132900-2; the package code is TFRS 130B16.

The company is cooperating with the Food and Drug Administration and California Department of Public Health on the recall, according to the release
FDA Recall – Firm Press Releasehttp://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm305203.htm

Salinas Firm Initiates A Voluntary Recall Because Of Possible Health Risk
Contact:
Consumer:
866-508-7048

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 22, 2012 - Taylor Farms Retail, Inc. is initiating a voluntary recall of Organic Baby Spinach with the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella following a random test conducted on a finished package of spinach by USDA.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people may experience fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (which may be bloody), and abdominal pain. In rare cases the organism can get into the bloodstream and cause more serious complications.
The items subject to the recall include:

Brand	Item Description	UPC Number	Package Code	Best By	State
Private Selections	Organic - Baby Spinach, 5 oz. clamshell	0-11110-91128-5	TFRS 130B 1503 KT34	5-25-12	AK, AZ, CA, CO, ID, KS, LA, MO, MT, NM, NV, OR, TX, UT, WA, WY
Private Selections	Organic - Baby Spinach, 5 oz. clamshell	0-11110-91128-5	TFRS 130B 1803 KT34	5-25-12	AK, AZ, CA, CO, ID, KS, LA, MO, MT, NM, NV, OR, TX, UT, WA, WY
Marketside	Baby Spinach – Organic, 10 oz. clamshell	6-8113132900-2	TFRS130B16	5-25-12	AR, CO, ID, KS, LA, MO, MS, MT, NM, NV, OK, TX, UT, WY

There have been no reported illnesses attributed to the recalled items. The “Best By” Code Date for the recalled products can be located on the lower right portion of the front label. These recalled items were distributed from Taylor Farms Retail, Inc. on May 9, 2012 and May 10, 2012.

No other products or code dates are affected by this recall. The company is cooperating with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) regarding this recall.

Customers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume the products and should dispose of them. Consumers may contact Taylor Farms Retail, Inc. for further information at 866-508-7048 Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm PST. Consumers with concerns about an illness from consumption of this product should contact a health care provider.