Sludge Watch ==> More US Spinach contamination - Salonella in Queen Victoria Brand Spinach

[Maureen Reilly]

Sludgewatch Admin:

This spinach comes from the USA and was imported into Canada according to 
this Alert.
Does it come from the Salinas Valley where they use sewage effluent for 
irrigation?  I don't know yet.

Lets find out...

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HEALTH HAZARD ALERT
QUEEN VICTORIA BRAND FRESH SPINACH MAY CONTAIN SALMONELLA BACTERIA
OTTAWA, December 10, 2006 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is 
warning the public not to consume the Queen Victoria brand fresh spinach 
described below because the product may be contaminated Salmonella.
The Queen Victoria brand fresh spinach, a product of USA, is sold in 
10oz/284g packages bearing UPC 0 33383 65201 6 and the Best Before date "DEC 
07" The affected product may have been distributed nationally.
Although the likelihood of any remaining affected product being sold at the 
retail level is remote, some consumers may still have this product in their 
refrigerators. For this reason, consumers are advised to check their 
refrigerators and not to consume the affected product.
There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of 
this product.
Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption 
of food contaminated with this bacteria may cause salmonellosis, a foodborne 
illness. In young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune 
systems, salmonellosis may cause serious and sometimes deadly infections. In 
otherwise healthy people, salmonellosis may cause short-term symptoms such 
as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and 
diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.
The CFIA is continuing with its investigation to have the affected product 
removed from the marketplace.
For more information, consumers and industry can call the CFIA at 
1-800-442-2342/TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, 
Monday to Friday).
For information on Salmonella, visit: Food Facts web page at 
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/causee.shtml