Baby Spinach Salad Kits Recalled, Possible Health Risk

(Editor's Note: This information is provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration)

Natural Selection Foods is voluntarily recalling Earthbound Farm Baby Spinach Grab & Go Salad Kits with Peanuts. The product is sold nationwide including California and is a 3.5 ounce clamshell with UPC 0-32601-08875-0. All “Use By” dates are affected, says the FDA.

This is the result of the expanded recall of peanut butter, nut butters and peanut products by Sunland because of potential contamination with Salmonella. The peanuts in the packets were chopped by Sunland then supplied to a third party contract packer to Natural Selection Foods as a sealed package of chopped peanuts, sealed again within another package that includes dressing and a fork, says the FDA.

The salad kits were distributed to retail supermarkets and foodservice operators in the following states: California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, British Columbia (Canada) and Ontario (Canada). They are packaged in clear plastic clamshell containers with a blue label, says the FDA.

Salmonella bacteria 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 cramps. Consumers with the above symptoms should consult their physician, says the FDA.

While no illnesses associated with any of these products have been reported to Natural Selection Foods to date, the voluntarily recall of these products is a precaution, says the FDA.

Consumers who have any product covered by this recall should dispose of it or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. While there is no risk associated with the spinach or the dressing in the kit, the company is requesting consumers dispose of the entire kit, out of an abundance of caution. Further, anyone who has retained a packet of peanuts from this kit should dispose of the packet.

Consumers who have any questions about the recalled products are urged to contact Natural Selection Foods Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pacific Time at 800-690-3200 or through the Earthbound Farm website at any time:
ebfarm.com/about/contact. Consumers with questions or concerns about their health should contact their doctor or health care provider.