Federal and State Investigators Look into Spinach Recall

By James Andrews | November 2, 2012 State health officials and authorities at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating a recall of spinach initiated Thursday by Wegmans grocery stores, according to a lawyer representing spinach distributor State Garden. "Our understanding is that Wegmans voluntarily recalled  two sizes of organic spinach as a precaution yesterday," lawyer Gina Ameci wrote in a statement to Food Safety News. "Currently, State Garden is fully cooperating with all federal, state, and local authorities in connection with Wegmans' voluntary recall. Investigation is currently ongoing, so there is no further information or details that can be provided at this time." Wegmans issued their recall after learning their 'Wegmans Food You Feel Good About Organic Spinach & Spring Mix' may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Food Safety News has contacted Wegmans, State Garden, and a number of state and federal health agencies in an attempt to gather more information about possible E. coli illnesses associated with the recall, as well as information on how the contamination was discovered. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is currently testing the spinach for harmful pathogens and will make any relevant announcements after those tests are complete, agency spokeswoman Lola Russell told Food Safety News Friday. Spokespeople for the state health departments of Pennsylvania and California — where most spinach is grown — confirmed they are not aware of any illnesses at this time. Food Safety News is awaiting response from several other state health departments, as well as Wegmans and the FDA. © Food Safety News More Headlines from Food Recalls » Tags: E. coli, E. coli O157:H7, spinach, State Garden, Wegmans