Coles joins spinach recall in bid to prevent hallucinations, sickness

Coles is the latest supermarket giant to recall products containing spinach after Woolworths and Costco issued similar warnings over their products.

Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) is heading efforts to alert consumers and is working with businesses to co-ordinate the recall across NSW, Victoria and ACT.

Coles has recalled 11 of its products containing baby spinach that were sold in NSW, Victoria, ACT, Queensland, Northern Territory and South Australia. In a statement, the supermarket giant said health authorities had advised it that some spinach may be contaminated with unsafe plant material.

Only some of its products with a specific use-by date were being recalled. “The affected products have been available for purchase since December 8, 2022,” Coles said in a statement. “Customers must not consume this product, and anyone concerned about their health should seek medical advice. Coles is liaising with the supplier and the regulators regarding further steps.”

Costco made its announcement earlier this week after dozens of people fell ill, with some reporting hallucinations. Eight people have become sick from eating the spinach in Victoria, and the state’s health department said it was investigating the source of the contamination.

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Meanwhile, 47 people in NSW had reported symptoms after eating the spinach and at least 17 needed medical help, the state’s health department said on Friday.

Those who became sick experienced a range of symptoms, including serious hallucinations, delirium, blurred vision, dilated pupils and fever.