A child has spent the night in hospital after eating a batch of toxic baby spinach that has left more than 100 people suffering hallucinations, rapid heartbeats and delirium.
The child, who has since been discharged, was admitted to a Brisbane hospital on Saturday night and was one of 11 Queenslanders affected by the contamination.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) issued another warning on Sunday, revealing the contaminated spinach ‘appears to have come from a single source’.
FSANZ issued a nationwide recall and advised customers to not eat the baby spinach and instead throw it out.
‘Investigations to date suggest the baby spinach has been contaminated with unsafe plant material, it does not appear to be linked to pesticides; however investigations are continuing,’ an FSANZ spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.
‘As soon as the containment was identified, FSANZ worked closely with the supplier, and affected businesses, who have been all cooperative in assisting with this recall matter.’
Almost 100 consumers reported symptoms including hallucinations and rapid heartbeats. Pictured is a stock image of a packet of spinach
Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, Costco and Riviera Farms all recalled baby spinach products this week after more than 100 consumers reported a raft of worrying symptoms including hallucinations and rapid heartbeats.
Peak vegetable industry body Ausveg appealed to consumers to adhere to the recalls, but not avoid spinach products altogether.
The peak body said it was working ‘through the supply chain with relevant jurisdictions to ensure any other affected products are identified’.
It asked customers to return the contaminated products to where they bought them for a full refund.
Any consumers concerned about their health after eating any of the affected products should seek medical advice and tell their local state health authority about what happened.
Coles recalled several own-brand spinach products on Saturday with use by dates between December 17 and 22 from stores in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, NT, the ACT and Tasmania after similar recalls at other supermarkets were issued on Friday.
Coles has joined Woolworths, CostCo, Aldi and Riviera Farms in recalling potentially contaminated spinach products
Woolworths has recalled two salad products containing the potentially contaminated spinach as people report experiencing possible toxic reactions
Aldi has also recalled 450 gram packets of The Fresh Salad co-branded Fresh & Fast Stir Fry with use by dates up to and including December 24 from Victorian stores.
NSW Health said it was working with other jurisdictions to investigate the issue.
By Saturday evening 88 people in NSW had reported symptoms after eating baby spinach, at least 33 of whom had sought medical help.
Eight people have become sick after eating the contaminated spinach in Victoria.
Woolworths Chickpea Falafel 290g (ID 218371) with use by dates of December 20 and December 22 should also be binned
Woolworths Chicken Cobb Salad 270g (ID 218366) with use by dates of December 20 should be thrown out
‘The health and safety of our consumers is the top priority for our industry,’ chief executive Michael Coote said in a statement.
‘So we urge consumers to follow the advice of the recall notices and to seek medical attention if you have concerns for your health.
‘Australian consumers can have confidence in all other spinach and leafy salad products that are currently available for sale on retail shelves, which are unaffected by the recall.’
On Friday Woolworths recalled its Chicken Cobb Salad product with a use by date of December 20 and Woolworths Chickpea Falafel with use by dates of December 20 and 22 from stores in Victoria, NSW, the ACT and Tasmania.
‘Woolworths has initiated a recall due to a potential contamination with unsafe plant material,’ the company said.
‘Food products containing unsafe plant material may cause illness if consumed.’
The urgent recalls for packaged baby spinach started after dozens of people reported worrying symptoms from eating the contaminated product.
Authorities believe the product might have been accidentally contaminated, leading to people experiencing possible toxic reactions including hallucinations and delirium.
Riviera Farms said it had contacted all of its 20 baby spinach customers to issue the recall.
‘We have been working proactively and transparently with our customers and regulators,’ a Riviera spokesman said in a statement.
Riviera Farms said its only direct major retail customer is Costco.
The national recall includes bags of spinach sold through Costco in NSW, Victoria and the ACT with use by dates from December 16 up to and including December 28.
Customers concerned about exposure to the spinach should call the Poisons Information Centre, while anyone who experiences unusual and severe symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.
