Recalls issued today include fresh spinach, dried dates, nasal decongestant spray and snack bars.

SPINACH

Church Brothers, LLC is voluntarily recalling 560 bags of clipped spinach as a precautionary measure after one bag tested positive for Salmonella during a random USDA Microbiological Data Program sampling. The recalled product was processed on October 6, 2011 and shipped in 2.5 pound bags to Super King Markets in Los Angeles, California. The bagged spinach affected by this recall was available for sale beginning October 7, 2011 and has a “best if used by” date of 10/23/11.

No illnesses related to this product have been reported and no other Church Brothers, LLC products are affected by this recall.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

The recalled 2.5 pound bags of clipped spinach were in clear packaging and marked as follows:

Best by date: 10/23/2011

Manufacturing code: A27947166

“We are cooperating closely with the US Food and Drug Administration and California Department of Public Health to ensure prompt removal of product associated with the recall,” said Steve Church, Church Brothers, and LLC.  “While we are not aware of any illnesses associated with this product, it is important that we act quickly based on the random sample results in order to reduce any risk to public health.”

Anyone who has in their possession any of the recalled bagged spinach as described above should not consume it, and should destroy it or return it to Church Brothers, LLC.

Consumers with questions or who need information may call 1-800-799-9475, media questions should be directed to Lisa Watson at 202-384-1844.

DATES

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel Aubertine today alerted consumers that Domega NY International Co. LTD, located at 47-57 Bridgewater St. in Brooklyn, NY, is recalling Dried Dates due to the presence of undeclared sulfites. People who have severe sensitivity to sulfites may run the risk of serious or life-threatening reactions if they consume this product.

The recalled Dried Dates are packaged in a 12 oz. (340 gram), plastic bag. There is no apparent production code on the package but a UPC code of 6-868978-724670 can be found on the back of the package. The product was distributed nationwide and is a product of China.

Routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis of the product by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the product contained high levels of sulfites which were not declared on the label. The consumption of 10 milligrams of sulfites per serving has been reported to elicit severe reactions in some asthmatics. Anaphylactic shock could occur in certain sulfite sensitive individuals upon ingesting 10 milligrams or more of sulfites.

No illnesses have been reported to date to this Department in connection with this product. Consumers who have purchased Dried Dates should contact Jing Hua Chen, Domega NY International Co. LTD at 646-388-3032

DECONGESTANT

Insight Pharmaceuticals, LLC of Langhorne, Pa., is recalling one lot (34,092 bottles) of Nostrilla Nasal Decongestant nasal spray to the consumer level, because it may contain the bacteria Burkholderia cepacia.  

Burkholderia cepacia may cause serious infection in individuals with a compromised immune system or chronic lung condition (i.e. cystic fibrosis).  However, the possibility of infection is remote in healthy individuals.

Nostrilla Nasal Decongestant, lot #11G075, UPC Code 6373673005, was distributed nationwide through normal retail outlets and pharmacies. The product comes in a 1/2 ounce, plastic bottle marked with lot #11G075 on the label and with an expiration date of 05/2014 stamped on the side. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The recall was initiated following internal investigations which determined the potential presence of a microbial contaminant that exceeds the product specifications and may consequently result in a subpar product. This contaminant has been found sporadically throughout only the respective manufacturing lot, #11G075.  

Consumers who have purchased “Nostrilla Decongestant, lot #11G075” are urged to return the product and contact the company at 1-877-546-9059 Monday through Friday from 9 am-5 pm EST time zone.  Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this product

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

SNACK BARS

General Mills is voluntarily recalling a single day’s production of Chocolate flavor Fiber One 90-Calorie Chewy Bars because of a labeling issue.  Product produced on this date may have been packaged incorrectly, and may contain sensitive ingredients not listed on the box’s ingredient label, including the potential allergen peanuts.

A production error resulted in a limited number of properly labeled, individually wrapped Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor Fiber One 90-Calorie Chewy Bar packages being inserted into 5-count boxes labeled as Chocolate Flavor Fiber One 90-Calorie Chewy Bars.

There have been no reports of allergic reactions or illnesses associated with this product, however, the possibility of an unlabeled allergen makes this a Class One recall.

This voluntary recall includes only 5-count boxes of Chocolate Flavor Fiber One 90-Calorie Chewy Bars with the following “Better if Used By” date printed on the top of the box:

19MAY2012BV

Individually labeled foil packages of Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor Fiber One 90-Calorie Chewy Bars are visibly different from the Chocolate flavor Fiber One 90-Calorie Chewy Bars product depicted on the incorrect box.  Rather than containing Chocolate flavor Fiber One 90-Calorie Chewy Bars, the box could contain Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor Fiber One 90-Calorie Chewy Bars.

Consumers allergic to peanuts, or who are unsure of whether they are allergic to peanuts, should not consume Fiber One 90-Calorie products from 5-count boxes bearing the Better if Used By date 19MAY2012BV on the top of the box, and should contact General Mills for replacement or a full refund.

No other varieties or production dates of Fiber One products are affected by this recall.

Consumers requesting refunds or calling with further questions should contact General Mills Consumer Services at 1-800-231-0308.