Spinach Recall Alert: Affected Brands and Safety Steps

Immediate Alert: As of October 26, 2023, Earthbound Farm has issued a voluntary recall of 10oz fresh baby spinach with use-by dates between October 22-28, 2023 due to potential Listeria contamination. If you have this product, discard it immediately or return for full refund. No illnesses have been reported to date.

What You Need to Know About the Current Spinach Recall

If you're checking your refrigerator right now wondering whether your spinach is safe to eat, you're not alone. Food safety concerns hit close to home, especially when it comes to fresh produce that families consume daily. This comprehensive guide provides verified information about the current spinach recall so you can protect yourself and your loved ones.

Food safety experts at the FDA confirmed the recall late last week after routine testing detected potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination in specific batches of Earthbound Farm fresh baby spinach. While no consumer illnesses have been reported yet, Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Step-by-Step: What to Do Right Now

Follow these critical steps if you purchased fresh spinach recently:

1. Check your spinach packages immediately - Look for Earthbound Farm 10oz fresh baby spinach with use-by dates from October 22 through October 28, 2023
2. Examine the product code - Affected products have code starting with "EBF" followed by numbers "290" through "296"
3. Check where you bought it - This recall affects products sold at Kroger, Target, Walmart, and regional grocery chains nationwide
4. Discard or return immediately - If your product matches the recalled items, throw it away in a sealed bag or return to place of purchase for refund
5. Sanitize surfaces - Clean any surfaces that contacted the recalled spinach with hot, soapy water

Recalled Product	Safe Product	Action Required
Earthbound Farm 10oz fresh baby spinach	Earthbound Farm 6oz fresh baby spinach	Discard immediately
Use-by dates: Oct 22-28, 2023	Use-by dates outside Oct 22-28, 2023	Discard immediately
Product codes starting EBF290-EBF296	Product codes outside EBF290-EBF296	Discard immediately
Sold at major national grocery chains	Sold at farmers markets or directly from farms	Discard immediately

Recall Timeline: How This Situation Developed

Understanding the sequence of events helps put the recall in context and shows why immediate action matters:

• October 18, 2023: FDA conducts routine inspection at Earthbound Farm processing facility in San Jose, California
• October 20, 2023: Laboratory testing detects potential Listeria contamination in spinach sample
• October 21, 2023: Earthbound Farm initiates internal investigation and notifies FDA
• October 23, 2023: Company identifies specific production batches potentially affected
• October 25, 2023: Voluntary recall announced to the public through FDA notification system
• October 26, 2023: Retailers begin removing affected products from shelves nationwide
• Ongoing: CDC monitoring for any illness reports potentially linked to this product

Understanding Listeria Risk in Fresh Spinach

While spinach recalls happen periodically, this particular situation involves Listeria contamination, which presents unique concerns compared to other pathogens like E. coli that have caused previous leafy green recalls.

Why Listeria is particularly concerning:

• Listeria can grow at refrigerator temperatures, unlike many other foodborne pathogens
• Symptoms may take up to 70 days to appear after consumption
• Higher risk for pregnant women (can cause miscarriage or stillbirth)
• Can survive freezing temperatures

According to the FDA's food safety guidelines, "Listeria monocytogenes is a hardy bacteria that can grow in cold, moist environments like refrigerators and food processing facilities."

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you've consumed spinach from potentially affected packages, watch for these symptoms which may indicate Listeria infection:

• Fever and chills
• Muscle aches
• Nausea or diarrhea
• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Confusion or loss of balance

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms and fall into one of these high-risk groups:

• Pregnant women (Listeria can cause miscarriage or stillbirth)
• Adults over 65 years old
• People with weakened immune systems
• Individuals with chronic medical conditions

Preventing Future Issues: Safe Handling Practices

While this recall affects specific products, implementing these food safety practices will protect you from potential contamination in any fresh produce:

• Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling fresh produce
• Store properly: Keep spinach at 40°F or below and use within 3-5 days of purchase
• Don't wash before storing: Excess moisture promotes bacterial growth
• Use separate cutting boards: Designate one specifically for produce
• Check for recalls regularly: Sign up for FDA food safety alerts

The CDC recommends that "consumers should always follow safe food handling practices to reduce the risk of foodborne illness, especially with ready-to-eat foods like bagged spinach."

Trusted Resources for Future Recall Information

Stay informed about food safety issues by bookmarking these authoritative sources:

• FDA Recall Database - Official government source for all food recalls
• CDC Foodborne Outbreaks - Tracking illness reports linked to food
• USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service - For meat, poultry, and egg products
• FoodKeeper App - Helps determine proper storage times for all food types

Which spinach products are currently recalled?

Earthbound Farm 10oz fresh baby spinach with use-by dates between October 22-28, 2023 and product codes starting with EBF290 through EBF296 are currently recalled due to potential Listeria contamination.

What should I do if I have recalled spinach?

Immediately discard the recalled spinach in a sealed bag or return it to the store where you purchased it for a full refund. Clean any surfaces that contacted the spinach with hot, soapy water to prevent potential cross-contamination.

Has anyone gotten sick from this recalled spinach?

As of October 26, 2023, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this specific spinach recall. However, Listeria symptoms can take up to 70 days to appear, so health officials are monitoring for potential cases.

How can I tell if my spinach is affected by the recall?

Check the use-by date on your spinach package. If it's Earthbound Farm 10oz fresh baby spinach with a use-by date between October 22-28, 2023 and has product codes starting with EBF290 through EBF296, it's affected by the recall.

Why is Listeria in spinach particularly dangerous?

Listeria is dangerous because it can grow at refrigerator temperatures, symptoms may take up to 70 days to appear, and it poses serious risks to pregnant women, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Unlike many pathogens, Listeria can survive freezing temperatures.