The Publix general store chain reported a recall of specific Green Life Farms’ Hydroponic Baby Arugula bundles over worries of potential salmonella contamination.
Green Life Farms voluntarily recalled one lot of its 4-ounce baby arugula containers due to possible salmonella traces, one of the leading causes of food poisoning in the United States, according to a Publix news release.
Affected Products
Containers made of clear plastic are sold for the baby arugula. Only products marked with Lot #LW15124 are affected by the recall.
Publix’s announcement stated that the item’s lot code is printed at the top point of the product’s packaging.
Store Locations
Over 1,376 Publix stores can be found in eight states, according to the company’s website: Tennessee, Virginia, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
According to Publix’s press release, the recalled baby arugula packages “were available for sale at select Publix locations from 5/31/24 and have a sell-by date of 6/15/24.”
Produce Testing
During its routine testing, Green Life Farms discovered “the presence of salmonella in a single harvest” of its baby arugula, indicating the possibility of contamination.
Publix said that customers who have bought the recalled item “are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.” Customers can also contact them at [email protected] or call 1-888-213-9603.
Salmonella Impact
The recall has not been linked to any illnesses that have been reported. Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever, stomach pain, headache, nausea, and/or vomiting, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Anybody can get the contamination, even though there is a heightened risk for individuals who take stomach-settling agents, recently had antibiotics, have inflammatory bowel disease, and for kids younger than 5.
Risk Prevalence
Salmonella is more likely to cause serious illness in people over 65 and infants younger than 1. Individuals with compromised immune systems are likewise at a higher risk.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Salmonella is one of the most common forms of food poisoning.”
Cleveland Clinic Report
The report continued: “Over a million people in the U.S. alone get salmonella every year and 26,500 are hospitalized. There are about 420 deaths due to salmonella every year in the U.S.”
Assuming that you are encountering side effects of salmonella, preventing dehydration by drinking a lot of fluids is crucial.
Treatment of Salmonella
Adults are able to take non-prescription meds to assist with curtailing the side effects of diarrhea.
The clinic says that the infection usually goes away on its own after a few days of symptoms.
Cucumber Outbreak
This is just the latest in a series of salmonella scares following the cucumber outbreak in Florida recently.
The outbreaks of salmonella Africana and salmonella Braenderup have been reported to cause sickness in 320 people.
Florida Produce
Recalls related to cucumbers have been connected to Fresh Start Produce Sales of Delray Beach.
The company had shipped its produce to states around the country including Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
CDC Weighs In
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, they said they were conducting “further testing” in order to “see if it is the same strain as the one making people sick.”
The CDC went on to say: “Investigators are also working to collect more information to see if other cucumbers are affected.”
Undercounting Outbreaks
As most people who are infected with salmonella don’t seek out professional medical attention, the number of people affected may be undercounted.
In the recent outbreaks of the 65 people who were reported to have the salmonella Afrficana strain, 47 people said they ate cucumbers.
The salmonella reports have caused concern among the public and companies have been made to be vigilant in reporting any potential outbreaks.
