In Australia, at least 88 people fell ill after consuming baby spinach produced by the Riviera Farms brand, which is believed to have been contaminated with a “hazardous plant substance”.
The Australian and New Zealand Food Safety Authority recalled the products on Friday and issued an alert on social media.
In addition to the spinach sprouts on trays, the authority added that the prepared salads, which are sold in supermarkets, also contained contaminated spinach, which is why they had to be destroyed.
Severe hallucinations, dilated pupils…
Of the 88 identified patients, 33 had to receive medical treatment. Most of the cases have been reported in the state of New South Wales, home to the country’s largest city, Sydney.
The symptoms mentioned by the health authorities include severe hallucinations, delirious attacks, dilated pupils and fever. According to Riviera Farms, “it appears that these produce, harvested in the state of Victoria and shipped to stores in New South Wales, have been contaminated with a weed that can have health consequences if consumed.”
in the columns of Sydney Morning HeraldDr. Darren Roberts, director of the New South Wales poison control centre, gave more details about the condition of the patients.
“Patients who have been more severely ill have been so ill that they have severe hallucinations, seeing things that weren’t there. They can’t remember exactly what they experienced,” he said.
While adding: “No one died, we can rejoice and hope it stays that way. But these people are very sick.”
analysis in progress
According to Dr. Roberts, the spinach plants were potentially contaminated by another plant, which entered the production line by mistake.
Tests are currently being carried out on the contaminated shoots, but also on the urine of sick patients, to determine with certainty which plant is responsible for these poisonings.
Australian supermarkets Coles, Woolworths and Costco have pulled the offending products from their shelves. The Australia and New Zealand Food Safety Authority is currently working to coordinate efforts to recall all products in the states of New South Wales, but also in Victoria and Canberra. Only products put on sale after December 8 are affected by the withdrawal.
Source: BFM TV
