SACRAMENTO – California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith has warned consumers not to eat a specific lot of organicgirl brand baby spinach after CDPH conducted tests found unacceptable levels of cadmium.

Recent chemical analysis of this specific lot code of baby spinach determined that the product contained 1.90 parts per million of cadmium is more than ten times the average amount of cadmium found in spinach. 

After being notified of the elevated level of cadmium, which is a heavy metal that is naturally occurring in some soils, organicgirl Produce LLC of Salinas initiated a voluntary recall of the organicgirl brand baby spinach. 

The recalled product has a “USE BY SEP 13” and a lot code of B030298-001B08S.   

While there is no risk of acute illness from consumption of this level of cadmium, long-term consumption of elevated levels of cadmium such as these may result in adverse effects on the kidneys, liver, and the immune system. 

The source of the cadmium has not been definitively determined, however CDPH suspects that it was likely up-taken by the plant from the soil during the growing process.     

The recalled baby spinach was packaged in five ounce plastic containers with labeling applied to the top and bottom of the package. Pictures of the recalled spinach can be found here. 

Consumers in possession of the recalled spinach should discard it immediately.

Anyone finding this product for sale should call the CDPH Complaint Hotline at 800-495-3232.