Salad, spinach kits sold in Massachusetts, 6 other states, recalled over listeria risk

BrightFarms has issued a voluntary recall of spinach grown by its supplier Element Farms and distributed under the BrightFarms brand because the spinach has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a notice posted to the US Food and Drug Administration website said. The recalled products were distributed to retailers in seven states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.The recalled products were sold by grocery stores, including Stop & Shop and Wegmans. The products come in 4 oz, clear plastic containers. Information about the “best by” date, UPC, and facility code can be found at the bottom of the package. Click here for specific products affectedNo illnesses have been reported to date.The recall was initiated after routine sampling conducted by Element Farms yielded a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes, the FDA said. Due to potential cross-contamination at BrightFarms’s Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania facility, BrightFarms is also recalling a limited quantity of four select salad kit products. No positive test results or reported illness have been received on those products to date, the FDA said. Stores have been told to remove all recalled products from store shelves. Customers who have purchased the products should not consume them and discard them or present a photo of the product or receipt to their place of purchase for a full refund and then discard them.Consumers with questions are encouraged to call 1-866-857-8745 between 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. or email info@brightfarms.com with the subject line "Recall."Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriage and stillbirths among pregnant women.