Taylor Farms foodservice spinach has been recalled for Salmonella and E. coli, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). The recall, issued last week, does not appear on the company’s website or on the Food and Drug Administration’s site, but the company has notified its customers.
The problem was discovered by MDARD during routine testing. A sample of pre-packaged, ready-to-use bagged salad for foodservice was tested on April 7 and the results, positive for Salmonella and non-shiga toxin producing E.coli, came back on April 13, MDARD spokeswoman Jennifer Holton told Food Poisoning Bulletin today.
A recall notice sent to one customer, Hearn Kirkwood, on April 13 said the recall was being initiated for products with a code date of YTF092A27 because an “isolated incidence in which a random sample yielded a positive bacterial pathogen.” Hearn Kirkwood distributes produce in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey and Philadelphia. The notice states no illnesses had been reported in connection with the product, but it does not mention Salmonella or E. coli or any pathogen by name. The notice states a sales representative will call with more details.
On April 14, an “urgent product recall notice” sent to another customer, Gordon Food Service, cites two lots of recalled spinach, 092A27 and 092A28, instead of one. This notice does not mention illnesses but states that “the pathogen of concern is still unknown at this point.” It instructs the recipient to destroy the product in a secure manner to prevent unauthorized consumption. It also states that if the recipient further distributed the product it, not Taylor Farms, is responsible for notifying them. Gordon Food Services distributes food in Canada, the Eastern half of the United States and Texas.
