Spinach Recalled after Sample Tests Positive by Michigan Dept of Ag

Taylor Farms of Salinas CA is recalling institutional sized units of fresh spinach after the Michigan Department of Ag had a positive Salmonella result in a sample they tested.  No illnesses have been reported.

 Schnuck's issued a recall notice for their pasta salad because they used that spinach.



The Produce News
http://theproducenews.com/news-dep-menu/test-featured/15640-taylor-farms-recalls-foodservice-spinach-in-response-to-michigan-testing
Taylor Farms recalls foodservice spinach in response to Michigan testing
by Joan Murphy | April 22, 2015

Salinas, CA-based Taylor Farms has notified foodservice companies of a spinach recall after Michigan inspectors detected pathogens in foodservice product during routine testing.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development’s Geagley Laboratory tested spinach that was pre-packaged and ready for institutional use and stored in a food warehouse facility as part of the state’s routine food-safety assurance program.

The samples were tested April 7 and the results came back on April 13, said Jennifer Holton, communications director for the Michigan department. The product tested positive for Salmonella and non-shiga toxin producing E. Coli, she said.

The Food & Drug Administration said Michigan authorities notified the California Department of Public Health and the FDA on April 10 of the presumptive positive, which was confirmed the following week.

“Since this did not involve a retail product it was more effective to notify those foodservice companies,” an FDA spokesman told The Produce News. “A press release would not have been effective in removing the specific product being recalled as it was not a retail product.”

FDA said the product, which was harvested on April 2 and processed at a Yuma, AZ, facility, has a two-week shelf life. Since Taylor Farms stopped processing in Yuma on April 9, the agency has not inspected that area.

South Carolina’s WBTV reported last week that spinach served at 10 county schools was recalled after receiving notification from the product supplier.

“So far, no one in our schools or any of the other customers who received and used the spinach has reported any illness,” Lancaster County Superintendent Gene Moore told WBTV.

A representative of Taylor Farms could not be reached for comment.


FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm443343.htm
Schnucks Recalls Chef’s Express California Pasta Salad Because of Possible Health Risk

Contact:  Consumer:  1-800-264-4400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — April 16, 2015 — Schnuck Markets, Inc. of St. Louis, Mo. is recalling its Chef’s Express California Pasta Salad sold in its Deli/Chef’s Express departments April 2 – April 14, 2015 because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella , an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting in the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms, endocarditis and arthritis.

The product was distributed to 99 Schnucks stores in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa.

The product would have been labeled “Chef’s Express California Pasta Salad” and sold by weight through the company’s Deli/Chef’s Express departments.

No illnesses have been reported to date related to the consumption of this product.

This recall is a result of Taylor Farms (Salina, Calif.) recall of fresh, flat leaf spinach due to the possible contamination of Salmonella . This spinach is an ingredient in Schnucks California Pasta Salad. Schnucks has ceased sale of the California Pasta Salad at this time.

Customers may return any unused portion to their nearest store for a full refund. Customers with questions should contact the Schnucks Consumer Affairs department Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 314-994-4400 or 1-800-264-4400.