Publix Supermarkets has recently issued a recall on its spinach dips. The recall was issued because the product may have been contaminated with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes.

The problem was found when Publix conducted routine microbial testing. Results of the tested samples showed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterial food contaminant. The recalled spinach dip is packed in 16-oz containers and have a UPC code of 41415-00062. The recalled product has a “Use By” date of OCT-10-C1.

Listeria monocytogenes is a harmful bacterial contaminant that causes a type of food poisoning called Listeriosis. Common symptoms of this kind of food poisoning include high fever, stiffness, stomach pain, severe headache, nausea and diarrhea. In pregnant women, Listeriosis can cause miscarriages or stillbirths. In elderly people, children, or those with a weakened immune system, Listeriosis can cause more serious health injuries that can possibly lead to death. Currently, there have been no reports of food poisoning that are connected to the recalled spinach dip.

The affected products were sold at the deli department of Publix stores. The recalled spinach dip was sold in most Publix stores in the state of Florida except in the following counties: Miami-Dade,Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Broward, Martin and Indian River. Publix supermarkets in the states of Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee did not receive the affected product and are therefore not affected by the recall.

Customers who have bought the affected spinach dip may contact Publix’s Department for Consumer Relations at 1-800-242-1227 for instructions about what to do with the product. They may also call the US FDA at 1-888-723-3366 for any recall-related concern.