Samantha BonarCan we all finally agree that bagged spinach (and lettuce) is a bad idea?
Salinas-based Fresh Express is conducting a voluntary recall of 9-ounce packages of its spinach due to possible contamination with Salmonella, according to a company press release. The affected batch has a use-by date of Nov. 7 and a product code of S299B25. It was distributed in California, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
No illnesses have been reported, but a random sample tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture tested positive for the bacteria. The recalled products have been removed from store shelves. Customers who purchased the spinach are advised to throw it out and to call Fresh Express at (800) 242-5472, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. EDT, for a refund.
Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children and frail or elderly people, and one hell of a bad case of food poisoning in others.
A few more bagged spinach and salad recalls, just in the last year alone:
- Romaine recall, Listeria, Fresh Express, August 2012
- Bagged spinach and salads, Salmonella and Listeria, Taylor Farms and River Ranch, May 2012
- Bagged Romaine salads, E. coli, Ready Pac, November 2011
- Bagged salads, Salmonella, Taylor Ranch, October 2011
- Packaged Romaine, Listeria, True Leaf Farms, September 2011
This is one packaging innovation that needs to go the way of the dodo. Bring back the salad spinner — foodie dickhead hipsters love that retro stuff, anyway. Spin 'em like they're vinyl!
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