Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market Inc. just announced a voluntarily recall of its Fresh Organic Baby Spinach bearing the “Enjoy By†date of Aug 01 and sold under the “f&eTM†label. The recall comes after a random sample test, which was conducted on behalf of the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), revealed that one bag […]
Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market Inc. just announced a voluntarily recall of its Fresh Organic Baby Spinach bearing the “Enjoy By†date of Aug 01 and sold under the “f&eTM†label.
The recall comes after a random sample test, which was conducted on behalf of the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), revealed that one bag of the Fresh Organic Baby Spinach was confirmed to be contaminated with the dangerous Listeria monocytogenes foodborne pathogen.
No illnesses have been associated with this product, said Fresh & Easy; however, it is important to note that the effects of poisoning with the Listeria pathogen can take some time to manifest.
Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, which is potentially fatal. Listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, abdominal cramps and pain, diarrhea, and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly, and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy.
Fresh & Easy said some consumers might still have the recalled spinach in their possession and, if so, should immediately dispose of the potentially contaminated produce.
The recalled spinach was sold in Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market stores in California, Nevada, and Arizona, said Fresh & Easy.
Fresh & Easy is advising consumers to return the empty, recalled spinach bag or to bring the receipt to any Fresh & Easy store for a full refund. Consumers with questions or concerns about this recall are advised to call the Fresh & Easy 24-hour, toll-free number at 1.800.648.8622.
Listeria poisoning is of particular concern to pregnant women, who are 20 times likelier to be infected with listeriosis. Listeriosis can kill fetuses, causing miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women. Listeriosis can also prompt premature births, can lead to hearing loss or brain damage in newborns, and can prompt neurological effects and cardio respiratory failure in adults.
For susceptible populations, infection with the Listeria pathogen can also cause significant illnesses linked to the central nervous system, including in the developing fetus. Listeriosis infects about 2,500 people in the U.S., killing 500 each year.