Spinach recall in Australia after dozens struck down with ‘scary hallucinations’
- More than 160 people have reported potentially toxic reactions such as blurred vision, breathing difficulties and dizziness after eating baby spinach
- Australia’s food standards authority issued a recall for 13 spinach-based food items. The cause of the contamination has yet to be publicly identified
“They’re unable to see properly, they’re confused, they’re having hallucinations,” Darren Roberts, the medical director of NSW Poisons Information Centre, said on Monday of the victims in an interview on local television, according to the New York Times.
“And we’re talking about scary hallucinations; it’s nothing that’s fun.”
Those who ate the contaminated spinach described feeling dizzy or unable to stand, having blurred vision, and struggling to breathe normally, the Washington Post reported.
One woman said she experienced full-body numbness after consuming a seven-ounce (200g) serving of cooked spinach.
Other reported symptoms include confusion, dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat, flushed face, and dry mouth and skin, health officials said.
As of Sunday, a total of 164 people had reported potentially toxic reactions after eating baby spinach and at least 42 sought medical attention for their symptoms, according to the latest update by NSW Health.
