Potential listeria contamination prompts spinach product recall

Last week, the FDA published a company announcement from Solata Foods LLC voluntarily recalling multiple products containing the company’s “Fresh Spinach” after identifying potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recall lists many products, including the following:  

• Greens Solata Spinach, 50/50 Blend, Baby Spinach, Spring Mix, Power Greens, and Spring Mix Herb 
• Greens Gaia Organic Spring Mix, Baby Spinach, 50/50 Blend, Power Greens, and Spring Mix Herb 
• Greens Full Circle Organic Spring Mix, Baby Spinach, 50/50 Blend, and Power Greens 
• Greens Farmer Direct Organic Chopped Kale Spinach  
• Greens Uncle Vinny’s Savoy Spinach, 50/50 Blend, Power Greens, Spring Mix, Baby Spinach, and Spring Mix Herb 
• Greens Bogopa Spinach 
• Greens Bulk Spring Mix 

A complete list of the products and their accompanying UPC codes can be found on the FDA website.  

According to the company’s press release, the voluntary recall was initiated after the New York State Department of Agriculture and Market Food Inspectors sampled the product. Samples analyzed by food laboratory personnel revealed the presence of L. monocytogenes.  

Listeria is a type of bacteria that can cause listeriosis, a potentially serious infection, when ingested. There are two primary types of illness caused by listeria infection. The first is a milder form called intestinal illness. This version typically resolves within three days and is characterized by intestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. However, in some cases, intestinal illness can progress to the other form: invasive illness.  

Invasive illness occurs when the bacteria spread past the intestinal tract and infect other body parts. In pregnant individuals, invasive listeria causes fever and flu-like symptoms. While symptoms are mild or nonexistent in pregnant individuals, a listeria infection during pregnancy has been linked to complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, and life-threatening newborn infection.  

On the other hand, invasive illness in non-pregnant individuals can be characterized by fever, flu-like symptoms, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures, resulting in death for 5% of patients.  

Although intestinal listeria resolves quickly, the risk of invasive listeria makes this condition dangerous, leading regulatory organizations to issue recalls or launch investigations when the bacteria is detected in the human food supply.  

For example, in 2023, the CDC investigated a listeria outbreak caused by Dole packaged salads. The investigation revealed 19 illnesses across 16 states, 18 of which resulted in hospitalization.  

Additionally, in April 2023, the FDA published voluntary recalls from Revolution Farms, Fresh Express Incorporated, and Meijer, recalling other bagged produce mixes for potential listeria contamination.  

The series of recalls suggests that there may be a trend in bacterial contamination among bagged greens.