Ippolito International, LP Recalls Bunch Spinach Due to Risk of Samonella Infection

Ippolito International, LP has recalled 17,15 cartons of bunched spinach that has been potentially contaminated with Salmonella bacteria, an organism that can cause serious and fatal infections in children, elderly and infirm people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of salmonella infection include fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. The voluntary recall is limited to 1,715 cartons. One thousand, five hundred fifteen of the cartons were packed in the "Queen Victoria" brand. This product was distributed to Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York and British Columbia, Ontario and Manitoba, Canada. It was distributed to retail, foodservice and wholesale buyers. Two hundred of the cartons were packed in the "Tubby" label and were distributed in California and New York to retail and wholesale customers. The "Queen Victoria" product was packed in cardboard cartons with "Spinach" printed on the side panel, in wire bound crates or Reusable Plastic Containers. The product was harvested September 1 through September 3. The 12 and 24 count spinach bunches were bound with a twist tie which says "Queen Victoria Spinach Produce of USA PLU 4090 UPC 33383 65200."
The cartons were labeled with the following Code Date Stickers which can be located on the outside edge panel of the carton. The stickers read as follows:

105224415 205(Harvested September 1, 2009)
105224515 205(Harvested September 2, 2009)
105224615 205(Harvested September 3, 2009)

The "Tubby" product was packed in cardboard cartons with "Tubby" printed on the side panel. The cartons were labeled with the following Code Date Stickers which can be located on the outside edge panel of the carton. The stickers read as follows: 105224515 205(Harvested September 2, 2009). The 24 count spinach bunches packed in the "Tubby" label were distributed in California and New York. They were bound with a generic bunched spinach twist tie which says "Spinach Produce of USA PLU 4090 UPC 33383 65200."

Consumers should understand the numbers provided: PLU 4060 and UPC 33383 65200are located on the majority of bunched spinach twist ties packed by the majority of spinach shippers in the United States. Those numbers do not necessarily reference the single lot to which the recall is limited. The only numbers that reference the recalled lot would be found on the carton.
Consumers should check with where they purchased the product to see if it was indeed from a carton with the specific Code Date Sticker referenced above.

Ippolito International immediately identified the specific harvest lot and all buyers who received the product. The buyers were contacted and instructed to destroy any product remaining in inventory. No other Ippolito International products or packs are involved in this recall.
"Our primary concern and commitment is for the well-being of the consumer. This voluntary recall is precautionary to reduce risk to the lowest level," said Butch Corda, Ippolito International General Manager.

Consumers who have purchased "Queen Victoria" or "Tubby" bunched spinach which is subject to this voluntary recall are urged to dispose of the product or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-831-772-9991 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PDT.

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