CDPH STATEMENT ON METZ FRESH RECALL OF BAGGED SPINACH

NUMBER:  PH07-31

DATE:  August 29, 2007

CONTACT:  Suanne Buggy or Lea Brooks, (916) 440-7259

SACRAMENTO - Yesterday afternoon (August 28, 2007) Metz Fresh, LLC of Kings City, Ca. notified the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) of a positive test for Salmonella found during routine company testing of their Metz Fresh bagged spinach product.  Metz Fresh announced a voluntary recall of the product today.  CDPH and FDA activated the California Food Emergency Response Team and are investigating the facility, company records, and product.  CDPH and FDA are not aware of any reports of illness related to consumption of this spinach at this time.  CDPH and FDA are actively working with the company to confirm the laboratory testing results, product identification, and product distribution records.