Key Takeaways
- BrightFarms issues a voluntary recall of spinach and four salad kit products.
- The spinach, sourced from Element Farms in New Jersey, may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
- Potential cross-contamination leads to the recall of select salad kits from the Selinsgrove, PA facility.
- Affected products are distributed across seven states, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
- Consumers are advised not to consume the recalled products and seek a refund.
Background of the Recall By BrightFarms
BrightFarms has initiated a voluntary recall of spinach grown by its supplier, Element Farms, at their Pompton Plains, New Jersey farm. This recall, which extends to certain BrightFarms salad kit products, is due to the potential contamination of the spinach with Listeria monocytogenes, a harmful bacterial organism.
Health Risks of Listeria
Listeria monocytogenes poses serious health risks, particularly to young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Infections can lead to severe symptoms and complications, including miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women. While healthy individuals may experience temporary symptoms, the risk remains significant.
Details of the Recalled Products
The recall affects products in clear, plastic 4-oz containers with specific “best by” dates, UPCs, and facility codes. The products include BrightFarms Baby Spinach, Mediterranean Crunch Kit, Chickpea Caesar Crunch Kit, Bacon Ranch Crunch Kit, and Southwest Chipotle. They were distributed in seven states and are identifiable by the information provided on the package.
No Reported Illnesses
No illnesses have been reported concerning the recalled products as of the announcement. The recall was initiated following a positive test for Listeria in routine sampling conducted by Element Farms. Although no positive tests or illnesses have been reported for the salad kits, they are recalled due to potential cross-contamination.
Measures Taken by BrightFarms
Following the recall, BrightFarms has temporarily halted the distribution of spinach grown by Element Farms. Retailers have been instructed to remove all affected products from their shelves. Consumers in possession of these products are urged not to consume them and to either discard them or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund, providing a photo of the product or receipt as proof of purchase.
BrightFarms Latest News
BrightFarms & Element Farms Join Forces to Elevate Indoor-Grown Spinach (2023/09/20)
BrightFarms and Element Farms have partnered to distribute indoor-grown spinach across the Northeast under the BrightFarms brand. The Giant Company will be the first retailer to introduce this spinach product across all its stores. BrightFarms has also announced the development of four new regional greenhouse hubs to meet surging consumer demand. In 2022, BrightFarms launched the Crunch Kit™ Salads, and it has plans to introduce two more varieties this October.
BrightFarms To Expand Its Footprint With Four Additional Greenhouse Hubs (2023/03/02)
Produce Grower reported yesterday that BrightFarms, an American indoor farming company headquartered in Irvington, New York, is expanding its footprint throughout the United States by constructing four regional greenhouse hubs in the Eastern and Central U.S. Per the article, the new locations are set to start shipping produce from 2024 which would enable BrightFarms to reach about two-thirds of the US and set the company up for 10-times increased revenue by the end of 2025.
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