The Reason Wegmans Is Recalling Multiple Types Of Greens
If you recently purchased greens from the popular east coast regional supermarket chain, Wegmans Food Markets, please be aware that Wegmans has recalled multiple greens products, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on December 23, 2022. Two of such products are intended for human consumption (Wegmans Organic Baby Kale & Baby Spinach with Sweet Pea Leaves and Wegmans Organic Farm & Orchard Micro Greens). The other is intended for consumption by pets (Wegmans Organic Farm & Orchard Cat Grass).
Wegmans posted the pertinent information regarding these recalls on its website's Product Recalls page on December 22, 2022. The FDA published its related announcement the next day. All greens subject to recall were grown at Wegmans Organic Farm in Ithaca, New York, in soil supplied by the farm's vendor, bio365. All of the recalled greens were sold by various Wegmans stores in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina.
The recall was issued upon Wegmans being notified by its supplier that some of the soil in which these products were grown tested positive for a foodborne pathogen that can cause illness in both humans and animals, according to CDC. Here's what you need to know to help keep yourself and your loved ones, including your beloved household pets, safe from contamination and potential illness.
Salmonella concerns precipitated this Wegmans recall
Wegmans has recalled the aforementioned greens due to potential contamination with the foodborne pathogen, Salmonella. Salmonella lives in the intestines of animals, according to Mayo Clinic. Animal droppings can contaminate soil, directly and through irrigation, as Food Safety News explains. The produce grown in such soil may become contaminated. That appears to be the concern here, although it's not known whether the recalled greens, themselves, have tested positive.
Salmonella can cause the infection, Salmonellosis, in both humans and animals who consume tainted foods/beverages. Some experience no symptoms; others begin to experience gastrointestinal distress (e.g., abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and vomiting) within eight to 72 hours following consumption. Infected humans may also experience fever. Infected animals may present primarily with diarrhea and lethargy, according to the CDC. In rare cases, Salmonellosis may be life-threatening, per Mayo Clinic.
Accordingly, the FDA recommends that you check your fridge for any of the following: Wegmans Organic Baby Kale & Baby Spinach with Sweet Pea Leaves (5-ounce packs with a Best By Date of 12/20/22 and UPC 0-77890-52377-3), Wegmans Organic Farm & Orchard Micro Greens (1.75-ounce packs with Best By Dates of either 12/17/22 or 12/24/22 and UPC 0-77890-25036-5) and Wegmans Organic Farm & Orchard Cat Grass (UPC 77890-50938, sold since 10/25/22). Neither Wegmans nor the FDA is aware of any illnesses resulting from consuming these greens. To help keep it that way, consumers are advised to discard or return them to Wegmans for a full refund.