For the second time this year, Fresh Express has issued a Listeria recall for prepackaged salad greens sold under the Fresh Express and Publix brand names. This recall includes Fresh Express spinach and Publix spinach with “use by” dates of December 14 and December 15. These products are beyond their expiration dates and should no longer be for sale.
Consumers who ate the recalled spinach should monitor themselves for symptoms of a Listeria infection and see a doctor right away if they develop as Listeria can cause severe illness and death. Among pregnant women, Listeria can cause miscarriage and stillbirth.
In its recall notice the company said it was not aware of any reported illnesses.
Fresh Express, Publix Spinach Listeria Recall
Fresh Express issued the recall on December 15 after being notified by the Florida Department of Agriculture that a randomly selected package tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. It appears that these recalled salads were produced at the same Fresh Express facility were the salads recalled earlier this year were made.
Fresh Express Spinach Listeria Recall
- 8 oz. bags
- UPC 0 71279 13204 4G332
- Use By date Dec 15, 2023
- States affected AL, FL, GA, NC, VA
Publix Spinach Listeria Recall
- 9 oz. bags
- UPC 0 41415 00886 1G332
- Use By date Dec 14, 2023
- States affected AL, FL, GA, NC, SC, TN, VA
Fresh Express Listeria Outbreak in April
On April 7, 233, Fresh Express issued a Listeria recall for prepackaged salad sold under the Fresh Express and Publix brand names. The recalled salad was produced at the company’s Morrow, Georgia facility.
Previous Fresh Express Listeria Outbreak
Last year, Fresh Express salad was linked to a Listeria outbreak that sickened 10 people killing one of them. The illnesses were reported over five years, indicating a persistent problem. Those salads were produced at a Fresh Express facility in Streamwood, IL.
Symptoms of a Listeria Infection
Symptoms of a Listeria infection often appear within 24 hours of exposure but sometimes can take as long as 70 days to appear. They include:
- High fever, stiff neck, and other muscle aches
- Severe headache, loss of balance, confusion, and convulsions
- Upset stomach or diarrhea
Listeria poses a heightened risk to people who are 65 and over and those who have weakened immune systems. Pregnant women are 20 times more likely than other people to contract Listeria infections.