People across the state are being advised not to consume several baby spinach products following a national recall due to cases of possible food-related toxic reactions.

The ongoing investigation has revealed that 88 people in NSW have reported symptoms after eating baby spinach and at least 33 of these people have sought medical attention.

A range of Coles- and Woolworths-branded products that contain baby spinach, such as some packaged salads, have now been added to the list along with Riviera Fresh products and Fresh Salad Co items available from Aldi.

NSW Health advises the recalled products are not safe to consume and people who have purchased these recalled products should throw them out or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

The full list of affected baby spinach products are listed on the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) website and the community is urged to regularly check the website for updates.

FSANZ has been advised the recalled baby spinach products appear to have come from a single source.

The products have had potential contamination with unsafe plant material which may cause illness.

Some salads containing small amounts of baby spinach have been recalled. SOURCE: FSANZ

Keep eating your salads!

Vegetable peak industry body AUSVEG is reassuring families across Australia in the lead-up to Christmas that leafy vegetable products that are available on the shelves of your favourite supermarket, greengrocer or market are not included in the current recall of some spinach products, which is limited to spinach from a single farm in Victoria.

“Food Standards Australia New Zealand has issued recalls relating to a small selection of spinach products, and is working through the supply chain with relevant jurisdictions to ensure any other affected products are identified,” said AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote.

“The health and safety of our consumers is the top priority for our industry, so we urge anyone with those recalled products to dispose of them, and seek medical attention if you are concerned about your health.”

“Given the affected products have originated from a single farm, and all affected products are being removed from shelves, Australian consumers can be confident in other spinach and leafy salad products that are currently available for sale, which are unaffected by the recall.”

“The past 12-months have been the most difficult in recent times for our industry. While all growers have faced significant increases to costs of production, floods and consistent rain and critical labour shortages this year, leafy salad and spinach growers have had it particularly tough during this period.”

“We have spoken to growers who have experienced reduced orders and drops in sales who are not even in the same state as the source of the recalled spinach, which is an avoidable situation that hurts the entire industry.”

“Vegetable growers were hopeful that a busy and productive Christmas and festive season would be a buoyant finish to what has been the hardest year for vegetable producers in recent memory.”

“We urge consumers to support their local growers and continue to buy plenty of fresh salad products in the lead-up to the festive season and in the summer period, which will be in high supply and good value across Australia.”

Seek assistance if needed

NSW Health is working with the NSW Food Authority, as well as other jurisdictions, to investigate the issue further.

Anyone who is concerned about exposure to these products should call the NSW Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.

NSW Health urges anyone who experiences any unusual and severe symptoms to seek immediate medical attention by visiting their nearest emergency department. In the event of an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Reported symptoms can be severe, including:

• Delirium or confusion

• Hallucinations

• Dilated pupils

• Rapid heartbeat

• Flushed face

• Blurred vision

• Dry mouth and skin

• Fever