Are You Sure You Want To Eat That Spinach: Another Recall
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
September 24, 2009 10:21pm CST
I happen to LOVE spinach, but ever since the recalls of spinach over the years due to e.coli contamination, I've yet to eat ANY. Now it looks like I'll be hesitant ONCE again about eating spinach as there is another massive recall of spinach due to salmonella contamination...gee, lovely.
The fresh bunch spinach in question is distributed by Ippolito International LP of Salinas and was spinach that was harvested September 1 to 3rd and goes under the brand name of Queen Victoria and Tubby and over 1,700 containers of this spinach is being recalled. The spinach in question was distributed in California, Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York. Even Canada is affected where the spinach was distributed in the British Columbia, Ontario, and Manitoba areas of Canada.
Here's an excerpt from an article about the code number of the contaminated spinach: http://bulletin.aarp.org/states/ca/2009/37/articles/spinach_recall_because_possible_salmonella_contamination.html
[i]The recalled spinach was harvested Sept. 1 through Sept. 3 and distributed to retail, food service and Wholesale buyers, the Department of Public Health reported. It was packed in 12-count and 24-count bunches in cardboard boxes with "Spinach" printed on the side panel, in wire bound crates, or in reusable plastic containers.
The 12-count and 24-count spinach bunches were bound with a twist tie which says "PLU 4090 UPC 33383-65200," according to the agency's statement. [/i]
Crap--just when I was in the mood to finally trust eating spinach again. Are any of you spinach lovers? Are you constantly cautious about what you're eating?
9 people like this
30 responses
@musicman6 (2406)
• United States
25 Sep 09
Man, they have had recalls on just about everything, is there anything we can eat that won't kill us ? Sometimes I wonder, Do they really know what they are doing or just trying to make us paranoid ?
5 people like this
@musicman6 (2406)
• United States
25 Sep 09
Good comment Maggiepie, 10-4 on the 'old fashioned farm fresh' vegetables and food !
I love 'em , too!
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Sep 09
Last year there was that major tomato recall..remember? I only just now started eating tomatoes again and hope I don't hear of another recall
4 people like this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
25 Sep 09
[b]I grew up partly on a small farm, reared by my farm-wife maternal grandma. She used to say, "You have to eat a peck of dirt before you die," which expression meant one shouldn't worry too much about possible bad things, as we all have problems now & then, but you can toughen up.
I know what good fresh food tastes like, & it's hard for me to get that now, but I refuse to worry too much about all the food scares. I'd just like it better if I could simply get some that tastes farm fresh! Never mind the stuff for which they're forever recalling foods; I'm not even a third of the way through my "peck," so I've got a long way to go.
And if by chance I do get into some bad food, well, art least I won't die from stressing out over constant warnings! 
Maggiepie
"WHERE'S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE?"[/b]
Maggiepie
"WHERE'S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE?"[/b]5 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Sep 09
That's my problem..I DO love spinach
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Sep 09
I live in an apartment, so no patio...and sorely lack a green thumb..
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
25 Sep 09
I am not reluctant to eat it. I usually have frozen though. I guess I feel I have an iron constitution.
4 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Sep 09
Nuts that link didn't work right about that article I was quoting from...here it is
http://bulletin.aarp.org/states/ca/2009/37/articles/spinach_recall_because_possible_salmonella_contamination.html
I wonder if the frozen can have the contamination though as well?
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
25 Sep 09
Probably can. I think I had it so many times that I am immune.
5 people like this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
25 Sep 09
hi pyewacket oh my again.well I am now wondering we had some
spinach about two weeks ago and about six or seven people here that I talked to had complained of nausea and diarrhea. I never thought that it might be the spinach that we ate during that
week. I know that they do wash and rinse all fresh produce in'our kitchens as they are inspected all the time by the pure food and health people. but yet these people all ate spinach and all has the same symptoms which now makes me wonder. and yes we live in sunny hot dry southern california too. Salinas is only about 70 or 80 miles from here.wow.
4 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Sep 09
OMG--I'm just betting it could have been that spinach that got everyone sick...I love spinach and in all this time I'm still reluctant to eat it..so what next? Are we going to hear of a tomato recall next like they did last year..I've only started eating them again recently
2 people like this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
25 Sep 09
[b]If they made spinach ice cream, I'd prob'ly eat it. Yep, big fan. Raw, steamed with honey & fresh-squeezed orage juice, whipped into tomato soup florentine, in a quiche...you name it, I'lll gobble it up. Just call me Popeye!
But I don't stay on guard against all the food warnings. I pay attention for a while, give it a chance to get out of the food dispersal system, then happily take up eating the items again. Life's too short to fret, really, & I always felt that when my number's up, well, life was good.
No worries.
Maggiepie
"WHERE'S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE?"[/b]
4 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Sep 09
Well I did have food poisoning many years ago and believe me..I don't want to go through that again
3 people like this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
25 Sep 09
[b]I just never have a problem with it. Heck, in the Grand Canyon, there's a stream that's unsafe (labeled as such by the park staff). My canteen ran dry before I could get to the top, so I risked it. Here to tell the tale, lo these many decades later!
I do have an overworked guardian angel, though, of whom I've frequently joked, must have had to put in for combat pay when I was young & crazy. 
Maggiepie
"WHERE'S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE?"[/b]
Maggiepie
"WHERE'S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE?"[/b]4 people like this
@happy6162 (3001)
• United States
25 Sep 09
I do not eat spinach anymore. I guess that is good. It seem that if it not spinach, peanutbutter, hamburger it is something else that has to be recall because of e-coli contamination or salmonella contamination. How does these food products get contaminated? Wonder if the manufacturer every clean there equipment.
4 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Sep 09
Don't forget the tomato recall of last year as well, and have no idea how our foods keep getting all this contamination
2 people like this
@happy6162 (3001)
• United States
26 Sep 09
After typing this the other I remember hearing on the news about a plant that made peanutbutter and it was one of the contaminated place. The way the new talk is the plant was real dirty and there we rats found in it. The plant was close and had to be cleanup and then inspected. It was later reopen after it past the inspection.
2 people like this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
25 Sep 09
It is getting to the point that you are afraid to buy any fresh things. It is crazy!!
2 people like this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
25 Sep 09
For the last 4 weeks I have been traveling to local farms (mostly organic).
I am busy making my supply for the winter. The taste is amazing and the price much better. I didn't see spinach, but I am wondering if packaging isn't involved in contamination. I am going away again, only 80 miles away from Chicago to buy more vegetables for winter. I may bay spinach from trusted farm only if I can pick it up myself. I didn't have spinach for a long time, due to last contamination back in the beginning of this year. I am wondering what was done to prevent food contamination...looks like nothing...
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Sep 09
It took me a long time to convince myself to eat tomatoes after that massive recall of last year..hope we don't hear of that again. I miss spinach but still can't convince myself to eat it again and now I know why
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
30 Sep 09
that's it.i'm getting some seeds.
at least if i find poo in my plant,i know the source.
a bad kitty.
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
9 Oct 09
i'm not sure that'd be a good idea with my boys.
they're neutered,but still pretty strong.whoo!
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 Sep 09
Hey, cat poo would be natural fertilizer
2 people like this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
25 Sep 09
I am not a big spinach eater so I don't have to worry....I am cautious though as I eat alot of lettuce and it seems like in recent years lettuce has been the culprit for alot of ecoli.....so I do make sure I wash it good before I eat it...
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Sep 09
I know, I love eating lettuce as well. I only during the summer trusted eating tomatoes again...remember the big tomato recall of last year??
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Sep 09
I haven't had any spinach since the last recall, just can't seem to trust having it again
1 person likes this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
25 Sep 09
Hey pye! Lucky for me I can definitely live without Spinich! I used to like
having it salad once in awhile but, haven't even bothered with it since the
last recall! I happen to not like it cooked so it really wasn't affecting
me! If they start recalling brocolli then I will have a definite problem!
This is just so ridiculous already! Why is there suddenly such a terrible
problem protecting our produce? I can tell you that the produce that is
sold where I live in the store that I go to is really disgusting! The
onions, potatoes, yams, lettuce, are really awful! There are times when
I go shopping that I just can't pick anything out even if I really need
it! I have even spoken to the produce person and he has nothing to say
about the crap they are trying to sell! The store is Pathmark which was
recently bought by A&P,now know as Americas Choice! You would think that
since they raised their prices they would at least try to get better
quality of merchandise! Well, they haven't, at least not in the produce!
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Sep 09
I'm surprised that A&P (America's Choice) is selling such crappy food. Years and years ago there were two A&P's near me and their food was great...both are now Walgreen's--sure do miss those stores.
--sure do miss those stores.
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
25 Sep 09
I've stopped using spinach in my salads because of all the problems with it. I really miss it because no one in my family will eat it in any form, although I've snuck in into a few dishes without anyone knowing.... I think cooked would be ok, as cooking kills most bacteria and germs. I hope.
. I think cooked would be ok, as cooking kills most bacteria and germs. I hope.3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Sep 09
When my mother was alive I could NEVER have spinach as she didn't like it (hey I thought it was kids that didn't like spinach...LOL)..now that she's gone and can go nuts eating it, there's all these recalls...sighs
2 people like this
@forestgold (792)
•
25 Sep 09
Yes, i love spinach, especially in certain dishes.
I am not particularly cautious about what i eat, i think there is too much hype a lot of the time.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Sep 09
I don't know. I guess I'm cautious as I did have a case of food poisoning once and believe me it's not fun
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
25 Sep 09
I figured as long as I wash and soak my spinach then its okay I really think most people get sick from stuff because they don't clean it properly. I love fresh spinach and have been sticking to organic or frozen, which is probably no better.
This is the 2nd recall I have heard about from the Salinas area in like 2 weeks. I can't remember what the other thing was, it was a voluntary recall. I think lettuce.
1 person likes this
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
25 Sep 09
I was wrong, in July there was a lettuce recall, but in August there was a voluntary green onion recall - which is the one I was thinking about. Both items were from the Salinas, CA area.
Really doesn't surprise me too much. We have been doing a lot of traveling with my husbands shoulder injury and have been going through a lot of farm land. There are signs that state something along the lines of "from your toilet to our tap" apparently some cities north of farm land have their sewage going into the drinking water which is also the water used on the crops.
For ALL the FDA recalls (and there is a lot of them, I was shocked) check out this link http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/default.htm
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Sep 09
You know what's even scarier though? I was watching this two part investigation about how food is handled that is shipped to restaurants, and not talking about fast food ones either, but expensive restaurants...makes you never want to eat in a restaurant ever again..many of the food shipped to restaurants are done in non-refrigerated vans or trucks allowing the food to warm up too much and spoil--a real breeding ground for food poisoning.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Sep 09
Oh no! Not lettuce too...like sheesh, what is with all these foods being recalled--what kind of lettuce? I usually get romaine but on occasion iceberg
@BarBaraPrz (45487)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
25 Sep 09
I guess Popeye's no longer "strong to the finish"...
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45487)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
26 Sep 09
Wanna try again... third time lucky?
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
26 Sep 09
Maybe you should grow your own Pyewacket? It grows wonderfully in the spring and fall as long as you keep it above freezing temps. Maybe a windowsill garden if you don't have a yard.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Sep 09
I used to have windowboxes installed on all my windows and yes,loved growing things...then my spoil sport landlord told me to take them off.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
26 Sep 09
Very sorry to hear that. Windowsills indoors? A bookcase top not being used? Somewhere where you could grow them indoors?
1 person likes this
@morgandrake (2136)
• United States
26 Sep 09
She has cats...it would become either a kitty garden or a litter box. That is why I do not grow eatables indoors (they get eaten or worse, thanks to my lovelies).
2 people like this
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
26 Sep 09
Well I'm in Ohio and haven't heard anything, and I don't see us on the list, Thank Goodness.
I eat it all the time and so far so good. I do love it, just like you do, but to save money I've been buying it in cans because it's a bit cheaper. Not that a can makes a difference in the least. I wish all this crap would stop already.
You know, I don't remember all this happening when I was a kid. You'd think by now in this day and age, things would have changed for the better but NOPE. It just is getting worse every year. And you're right, I'm sure the tomatoes will be next on the list AGAIN, and who knows what else. It's completely ridiculous.
Now I know why we're going to have to pay for our own health insurance, because idiotic stuff like this happens too much, so WE have to pay for it.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Sep 09
You're right I don't remember so many recalls, in fact don't remember ANY recalls of food when I was a kid. Oh Pa-lease...I hope not to hear of a tomato recall next...I only just started trusting eating them again 
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
26 Sep 09
Unbelievable isn't it? I know how you feel, I took a chance on spinach and tomatoes at the end of last year. So far, all was well, until now again! WTH!
Where's all our inspections lately, drinking ont he job? Tooooooo much stuff has been happening over the last 3 years including the horribly tragic Pet Food episode. How disgusting for such a Rich? nation, and how completely embarrassing to us. Did I spell embarrassing right? looks funny, haha.
1 person likes this
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
26 Sep 09
Oh brother, I meant to say "drinking on the job?" And I'm not even drinking, wish I was though. 
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
25 Sep 09
Well, boil it then and don't eat it raw. What will they think of next?
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Sep 09
I think one can still get the contamination even when cooked
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
25 Sep 09
Hi pyewacket, I have never heard a word of a danger from spinach before, are you talking fresh or frozen here? as my experience of spinach is that it doesn't really keep long enough to have any sort of packaging and sending life but tends to be past it's best in a day or two at most (I'm talking timewise plant to stomach here).
I am a spinach fan but never frozen as spinach to me is either a raw salad ingredient of fresh leaves dropped into a Thai curry at the last moment. Spinach and water do not mix well unless one enjoys a plate of vitamin reduced mush.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Sep 09
Since you're not here in the US I don't think you have anything to worry about. I'm wondering if food contamination is as prevalent in other countries as it seems to be here.
1 person likes this
