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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National

Ten possible spinach poisoning cases in ACT

Hallucinations and hospitalisation: Urgent recall of contaminated spinach

There are ten potential spinach poisoning cases in territory, ACT Health says.

Different products which may contain contaminated baby spinach have been recalled.

ACT Health said it "has followed up 10 individuals in the ACT who have reported symptoms after eating baby spinach", as of Monday afternoon.

People who suspect they have been poisoned are encouraged to call the Poisons Hotline at 13 11 26.

Affected Coles spinach products. Picture Food Standards Australia and New Zealand

A number of Coles products were recalled over the weekend because of potential contamination with unsafe plant material.

The Food Standards Australia and New Zealand website lists eight affected products, including five that have been available in the ACT through Coles supermarkets, Coles Express and Coles Online.

They are:

  • Coles Kitchen Green Goddess Salad: 250g, 300g;
  • Coles Kitchen Chicken BLT Salad Bowl: 240g;
  • Coles Kitchen Roast Pumpkin, Fetta & Walnut Salad: 265g
  • Coles Kitchen Smokey Mexican Salad: 280g: and
  • Coles Kitchen Egg and Spinach Pots: 100g.

The affected products are those with use-by dates between December 17 and 23.

The addition of the Coles products follows ACT Health warning on Saturday that two pre-packaged salads sold at Woolworths were unsafe to eat.

Affected Woolworths products. Picture Food Standards Australia and New Zealand

Health authorities said the 270-gram Chicken Cobb Salad, with a use-by date of December 20, and the 290-gram Chickpea Falafel Salad, with use-by dates of December 20 and 22, were being recalled.

Those products have been sold at Woolworths and Woolworths Metro stores in the ACT.

There had earlier been a recall for Riviera Farms-branded baby spinach, with use-by dates from December 16 to December 28, following a number of cases of possible food-related toxic reactions.

That product has been available at Costco in the ACT.

ACT Health said on Sunday it was "working closely with other jurisdictions to investigate the issue further".

Anyone who is concerned about exposure to these products should call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.

"ACT Health urges anyone who experiences any unusual and severe symptoms to seek immediate medical attention by visiting their nearest emergency department," a statement said.

"In the event of an emergency, call triple zero (000)."

Reported symptoms can be severe, including:

  • Delirium or confusion;
  • Hallucinations;
  • Dilated pupils;
  • Rapid heartbeat;
  • Flushed face;
  • Blurred vision;
  • Dry mouth and skin; and
  • Fever.

The Poisons Information Centre is available 24/7, and can provide more information about poisons.

"The full list of affected baby spinach products is available on Food Standards Australia New Zealand website and the community is urged to regularly check for updates," ACT Health said.

"More products may be recalled as investigations continue."

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