Toxic spinach now affecting nearly 50 people as Woolies issues urgent warning

Toxic spinach now affecting nearly 50 people as Woolies issues urgent warning about two of its products

• Toxic batch of spinach identified in two products sold in Woolworths
• Number of people reporting symptoms from eating baby spinach nearly 50 
• NSW residents urged to throw out spinach products bought from Costco
• Those affected report hallucinations, delirium and rapid heartbeat 

By Madeleine Achenza and Eli Green For Nca Newswire

Published: 22:42 GMT, 16 December 2022 | Updated: 22:55 GMT, 16 December 2022

A toxic batch of spinach has now been identified in two products sold in Woolworths as the number of people who bought the product has climbed to almost 50.

Authorities are now warning residents in Victoria, New South Wales, ACT and Queensland to immediately throw away two products containing the toxic leaf.

The two products are the:

• Woolworths Chicken Cobb Salad 270g (ID 218366) with use by dates of December 20
• Woolworths Chickpea Falafel 290g (ID 218371) with use by dates of December 20 and December 22

Woolworths Chicken Cobb Salad 270g (ID 218366) with use by dates of December 20 should be thrown out 

Woolworths Chickpea Falafel 290g (ID 218371) with use by dates of December 20 and December 22 should also be binned 

To date, as part of the ongoing investigation, there are 47 people in NSW who have reported symptoms after eating baby spinach.

More than a third of these (at least 17) have sought medical attention.

It comes after NSW residents were urged to throw out spinach products bought from Costco after a number of cases of ‘possible food-related toxic reactions’.

NSW Health warned that Riviera Farms-branded baby spinach should not be eaten, as the product is ‘not safe to consume’.

There have been nine people from four unrelated households across Sydney who have required medical treatment after developing poisoning having eating the product.

Dr Darren Roberts from the NSW Poisons Information Centre, told the Sydney Morning Herald those affected had been ‘quite sick’.

NSW Health warned that Riviera Farms-branded baby spinach should not be eaten, as the product is ‘not safe to consume’ 

‘No one has died, so we’re very happy with that and we hope it remains that way, but these people are quite sick … to the point of marked hallucinations, where they are seeing things that aren’t there,’ he said.

Affected products were sold through Costco with an expiry date of December 16, 2022.

‘Initial investigations suggest the presence of an accidental contaminant in the food product,’ NSW Health said.

‘NSW Health is working with the NSW Food Authority, as well as other jurisdictions, to investigate the issue further.’

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

NSW Health urges anyone who experiences any unusual and severe symptoms to seek immediate medical attention by visiting their nearest emergency department.

Reported symptoms can be severe, including:

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

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