Salmonella finding prompts spinach recall
Pastor Dale Morgan
Salmonella finding prompts spinach recall*
* Story Highlights
* California company recalls fresh, bagged spinach after positive
salmonella test
* Affected: Metz Fresh, tracking codes 12208114, 12208214, 12208314.
* Spinach was distributed in 48 states, Canada; both retail and food
service
* No immediate reports of illness
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A California produce company recalled bagged fresh
spinach Wednesday after it tested positive for salmonella.
Metz Fresh said more than 90 percent of the recalled spinach was on hold
and would not be released.
There were no immediate reports of illness linked to the tainted
spinach, distributed by Metz Fresh LLC of King City, California.
The recall comes nearly a year after an outbreak of another pathogen, E.
coli, in fresh spinach killed three people and sickened 200 more.
The recalled spinach was distributed throughout the 48 states and Canada
and sold in both retail and food service packages.
It covers 8,118 cases of spinach, although the company said more than 90
percent of that was on hold and would not be released. Video Dr. Sanjay
Gupta explains the latest recall. »
Recall info
Metz Fresh LLC of King City, California, is recalling 8,118 cases of
fresh bagged spinach after a sample tested positive for salmonella.
The recall covers 10- and 16-ounce bags, as well as 4-pound cartons and
cartons that contain four 2.5-pound bags, with the following tracking
codes: 12208114, 12208214 and 12208314.
Consumers with questions can contact Metz Fresh at 831-386-1018.
While only a single sample from one of three packing lines tested
positive for salmonella, the company said it moved to recall all the
spinach packed that same day as a precaution.
The recall covers 10- and 16-ounce bags, as well as 4-pound cartons and
cartons that contain four 2.5-pound bags, with the following tracking
codes: 12208114, 12208214 and 12208314.
Consumers with questions can contact Metz Fresh at 831-386-1018.
Last year's E. coli outbreak prompted the Food and Drug Administration
to warn Americans not to eat fresh bagged spinach.
It later lifted that warning after tracing the contamination to spinach
processed and packed by Natural Selection Foods LLC in San Juan
Bautista, California.
The incident prompted stricter monitoring procedures by growers and
processors and stepped-up inspections by California health officials.
Salmonella sickens about 40,000 people a year in the U.S. and kills
about 600. It can cause diarrhea, fever, dehydration, abdominal pain and
vomiting.
Most cases of salmonella poisoning are caused by undercooked eggs and
chicken.