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ABC News
Health

Woolworths, Coles and Aldi recall products amid contamination concerns

Australia's biggest supermarkets are issuing an urgent recall of a range of salad and plant products after health authorities advised they may contain contaminated baby spinach.

At least 11 Victorians have attended an emergency department after consuming the affected spinach.

Health authorities said symptoms including nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat, hallucinations and confusion have been reported as a result of consuming the contaminated spinach.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has been advised that the recalled baby spinach products appear to have come from a single source.

Coles and Woolworths have issued recalls on dozens of spinach products sold across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, ACT, Northern Territory and South Australia.

Coles is recalling 11 Coles Own Brand products containing baby spinach, which health authorities have stated may be potentially contaminated with unsafe plant material.

Among the products recalled are pre-packaged spinach bags and salad kits.

Woolworths has issued a recall for products including its Chicken Cobb Salad and Chickpea Falafel Salad.

People are being urged to return the affected products to the place of purchase for a full refund. 

Consumers concerned about their health are urged to seek medical advice. 

Food products containing unsafe plant material may cause illness if consumed, the recall notice warns.

Aldi is recalling packets of Fresh Salad Co Fresh and Fast Stir Fry with a use-by date of December 24. 

The product was available for sale in Victorian Aldi stores.

The recall is also due to potential contamination with unsafe plant material.

Consumers are being warned not to eat the Fresh Salad Co Fresh and Fast Stir Fry and to return packets to their place of purchase for a refund. 

It follows the recall of two Riviera Farms baby spinach products, which were sold at Costco stores in Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT.  

Packets of Riviera Farms branded baby spinach with use-by dates between December 16 and 28 are being recalled because of potential contamination with unsafe plant materials.

Riviera Farm said while its only major retail customer was Costco, it had been working proactively with wholesale customers and regulators to rectify the issue.

"Riviera Farms can confirm that on Thursday and Friday we contacted all 20 of our baby spinach customers via phone, in writing, or both," a Riviera Farms spokesperson said.

"The advice to our customers remains to recall potentially contaminated spinach products from their shelves, and to advise their own customers to do the same."

New South Wales Health is investigating reports of illnesses linked to the consumption of Riviera Farms baby spinach and is urging people to throw out the recalled products.

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