(Newswire.net — February 27, 2013) Boston, MA — Massachusetts corporate food service companies are serving only spinach-free meals to protect diners from possible E.coli contamination in Taylor Farms organic baby spinach products.
On February 13, California-based Taylor Farms issued a voluntary recall of its organic baby spinach sold nationally under a variety of names. Although no illnesses have been reported in connection with the potential E.coli contamination, corporate food service companies are playing it safe.
“E.coli can cause serious illness. So we’re erring on the side of caution and eliminating all spinach from our recipes until we’re confident there’s no threat of contamination,” said a Massachusetts corporate food services director who wishes to remain anonymous. “Meanwhile, we’re finding creative ways to substitute other iron-rich vegetables into our spinach-based recipes—like Swiss chard, soybeans and lentils, for example.”
The baby spinach brand names under precautionary recall by Taylor Farms include Central Market Organics, Full Circle Organic, Marketside Organic, Simple Truth Organic and Taylor Farms Organic.
In addition to corporate food services companies, these brands are sold to retailers including stores owned by the Kroger company as well as Sam’s Club and Walmart. Taylor Farms says that consumers with any of these products should not eat it and throw it away.
Corporate food service companies, especially those providing meals to schools and hospitals, are on heightened alert as E.coli has much stronger impact on children and elderly. Most cafeteria and food service companies have thrown away their supply of spinach as safety is top priority for consumers nation wide. Despite the costly alterations to food preparation it is a necessary precaution until the threat is over.
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