Almost 200 people across Australia have been poisoned after eating toxic spinach bought on supermarket shelves.
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A national recall has been issued for brands of baby spinach sold in Coles, Woolworths, ALDI and Costco, many pre-made salads are included in the alert.
The baby spinach has been linked to serious symptoms, including delirium/confusion, hallucinations, dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat, flushed face, blurred vision, dry mouth and skin, and fever.
A child was among Australians hospitalised following the recall of potentially contaminated spinach products, which had reached all states and territories except for Western Australia by Saturday.
By Sunday, 164 people in NSW had reported poisoning symptoms from eating baby spinach, of those at least 42 had sought medical attention.
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In Victoria, 20 people have attended hospital emergency departments after being poisoned, while in Queensland there have been a possible 11 spinach poisoning cases.
The recall is due to an accidental contamination by unsafe plant material, and those who ate the spinach developed poisoning symptoms soon after eating the product.
Reported symptoms can be severe and include:
- Delirium or confusion
- Hallucinations
- Dilated pupils
- Rapid heartbeat
- Flushed face
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
The affected products are:
- Woolworths Chicken Cobb Salad 270g (sold in NSW, ACT, Qld and Vic. Use by December 20)
- Woolworths Chickpea Falafel Salad 290g (sold in NSW, ACT, Qld and Vic, Use by December 20, 22)
- Coles Kitchen Green Goddess Salad 250g, 300g (sold in NSW, ACT, NT, SA, Vic and Qld. Use by from December 17 to 23, 2022)
- Coles Kitchen Chicken BLT Salad Bowl 240g (sold in NSW, ACT, NT, SA, Vic and Qld. Use by from December 17 to 23, 2022)
- Coles Kitchen Roast Pumpkin, Fetta & Walnut Salad 265g (sold in NSW, ACT, NT, SA, Vic and Qld. Use by from December 17 to 23, 2022)
- Coles Kitchen Smokey Mexican Salad 280g (sold in NSW, ACT, NT, SA, Vic and Qld. Use by from December 17 to 23, 2022)
- Coles Kitchen Egg and Spinach Pots 100g (sold in NSW, ACT, NT, SA, Vic and Qld. Use by from December 17 to 23, 2022)
- Fresh and Fast Stir Fry 450g (sold in ALDI stores in Victoria. Use by December 24)
- Riviera Farms branded baby spinach 350g, 1kg (sold at Costco Wholesale in NSW, ACT and Vic. Use by December 16 to 28)
A Coles spokeswoman said customers must not consume this product.
"Coles is liaising with the supplier and the regulators regarding further steps. Customers can return the product to any Coles supermarket for a full refund," she said.
A Woolworths spokesperson said a full refund is available and the company "takes product safety seriously and apologises for any inconvenience caused by this recall".
Riviera Farms has been in contact with state and federal food regulators after immediately advising customers to withdraw a spinach product from shelves following reports of a contamination.
AUSVEG urged Australians to keep supporting vegetable growers on Sunday, saying the recall was limited to spinach from a single farm in Victoria.
Australian consumers can be confident in other spinach and leafy salad products that are currently available for sale, which are unaffected by the recall.
- AUSVEG chief executive Michael Coote
"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," AUSVEG chief executive Michael Coote said.
Anyone who is concerned about exposure to the spinach should call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.
If you experience any unusual and severe symptoms seek immediate medical attention. If you have life-threatening symptoms call triple-0.
Nadine Morton
I report on crime, emergency services and police matters. Email me on nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
