Ippolito International, LP Voluntarily Recalls Bunch Spinach Because ofPossible Health Risk Nationwide and Canada

Ippolito International, LP of Salinas, California is voluntarily recalling 1,715 cartons of bunched spinach, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which 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 pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The voluntary recall comes after routine random testing of bunched spinach in Michigan by the USDA Microbial Data Program, collected and analyzed by the Michigan Department of Agriculture, tested positive.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The voluntary recall is limited to 1,715 cartons. One thousand, five hundred fifteen of the cartons were packed in the "Queen Victoria" brand. This product was distributed to Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York and British Columbia, Ontario and Manitoba, Canada. It was distributed to retail, foodservice and wholesale buyers.

Two hundred of the cartons were packed in the "Tubby" label and were distributed in California and New York to retail and wholesale customers.

The "Queen Victoria" product was packed in cardboard cartons with "Spinach" printed on the side panel, in wire bound crates or Reusable Plastic Containers. The product was harvested September 1 through September 3.

The 12 and 24 count spinach bunches were bound with a twist tie which says "Queen Victoria Spinach Produce of USA PLU 4090 UPC 33383 65200."

The cartons were labeled with the following Code Date Stickers which can be located on the outside edge panel of the carton. The stickers read as follows:

10522441
5 205
(Harvested September 1, 2009)

10522451
5 205
(Harvested September 2, 2009)

10522461
5 205
(Harvested September 3, 2009)

The "Tubby" product was packed in cardboard cartons with "Tubby" printed on the side panel. The cartons were labeled with the following Code Date Stickers which can be located on the outside edge panel of the carton. The stickers read as follows:

10522451
5 205
(Harvested September 2, 2009)

The 24 count spinach bunches packed in the "Tubby" label were distributed in California and New York. They were bound with a generic bunched spinach twist tie which says "Spinach Produce of USA PLU 4090 UPC 33383 65200."

Consumers should understand the numbers provided: PLU 4060 and UPC 33383 65200
are located on the majority of bunched spinach twist ties packed by the majority of spinach shippers in the United States. Those numbers do not necessarily reference the single lot to which the recall is limited. The only numbers that reference the recalled lot would be found on the carton.

Consumers should check with where they purchased the product to see if it was indeed from a carton with the specific Code Date Sticker referenced above.

Ippolito International immediately identified the specific harvest lot and all buyers who received the product. The buyers were contacted and instructed to destroy any product remaining in inventory. No other Ippolito International products or packs are involved in this recall.

"Our primary concern and commitment is for the well-being of the consumer. This voluntary recall is precautionary to reduce risk to the lowest level," said Butch Corda, Ippolito International General Manager.

Consumers who have purchased "Queen Victoria" or "Tubby" bunched spinach which is subject to this voluntary recall are urged to dispose of the product or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-831-772-9991 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PDT.

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