Why Bagged Spinach Is Being Recalled in 7 States

Bowl of fresh spinach.

If you've got fresh spinach in your fridge, it's time to pull it out and see if it's been recalled.

Fresh Express has issued a voluntary recall of its Fresh Express Spinach in eight-ounce and white-labeled nine-ounce varieties sold exclusively at Publix stores. According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the affected packages of fresh spinach may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which can lead to a potentially dangerous or even deadly infection when consumed.

The brand has warned customers in several states–including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia–not to use the recalled products and instead are recommending anyone in possession of the affected spinach to throw the items away.

The affected items were sold in:

• 8-ounce prepackaged Fresh Express bags with the product code G332 and now expired use-by date of Dec. 15.

• 9-ounce prepackaged bags under the Publix brand name with product code G332 and a now expired use-by date of Dec. 14.

The product codes are located on the front of the packages below the use-by dates.

The recall was initiated after routine sampling conducted by the Florida Department of Agriculture yielded a positive result for the illness-causing bacteria in a single randomly selected package of spinach.

So far, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recall and no other Fresh Express products are affected, according to the official statement from food safety regulators.

Symptoms of a Listeria infection can include fever, headaches, nausea, stiffness, abdominal pain and diarrhea. The infection can become severe in children, elderly patients, and those with weakened immune systems; it can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women, per the FDA.

Consumers with questions are advised to call (800) 242-5472 for information about refunds.

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