• Coles Baby Spinach 60 grams, use-by date December 23 (NSW ONLY)
• Coles Lettuce Spinach 120 grams, use-by date December 23 (NSW ONLY)
• Coles Salad Family Baby Spinach 280 grams, use-by date December 23 (VIC ONLY)
• Coles Chef Blend Tender Leaf Blend 150 grams, use-by date December 22 (VIC, NSW, SA, NT)
• Coles Australian Salad Family Baby Leaf Blend 300 grams, use-by date December 22 (VIC, NSW, SA, NT)
• Coles Kitchen Green Goddess Salad 300 grams, use-by date December 17 to 23 (NSW, ACT, VIC, QLD)
• Coles Kitchen Roast Pumpkin Fetta & Walnut Salad 265 grams, use-by date December 17 to 23 (NSW, ACT, VIC, QLD)
• Coles Kitchen Chicken BLT Salad Bowl 240 grams, use-by date December 17 to 23 (NSW, ACT, VIC, QLD)
• Coles Kitchen Smokey Mexican Salad 280 grams, use-by date December 17 to 23 (NSW, ACT, VIC, QLD)
• Coles Kitchen Salads Green Goddess Salad 250 grams, use-by date December 17 to 23 (NSW, ACT, VIC, QLD)
• Coles Kitchens Egg And Spinach Pots 100 grams, use-by date December 17 to 23 (NSW, ACT, VIC, QLD)

“No other Coles pre-packed spinach or salad products are impacted by this recall,” the company said in a statement.

The recalls are believed to be connected to Riviera Farms’ baby spinach.

Riviera Farms said it appeared that the spinach, grown in Victoria, had been “contaminated with a weed which can have health consequences if consumed”.

“Riviera Farms advised authorities immediately after being alerted by one of our retailers and we will continue to work closely with health and food regulators as investigations continue,” the business said in a statement posted to its website.

In an update on Saturday, Riviera Farms said it had contacted 20 customers, advising them to “recall potentially contaminated spinach products from their shelves, and to advise their own customers to do the same”.

“Riviera Farms can confirm that on Thursday and Friday we contacted all 20 of our baby spinach customers via phone, in writing, or both,” it said.

“Riviera Farms’ only direct major retail customer is Costco.”

Dr Danny Csutoros, one of Victoria’s acting deputy chief health officers, said the baby spinach was not safe to eat and should be discarded, with the onset of symptoms occurring within hours of consuming the affected salad leaves.

“Initial investigations are suggestive of accidental contamination of the affected baby spinach,” he said. “The Victorian Department of Health is working closely with other jurisdictions to investigate further.”

As of Friday, there were 47 people in NSW who reported symptoms after eating the spinach and at least 17 needed medical help, according to the state’s health department.

Genevieve Adamo from the NSW Poisons Information Centre said more people were expected to come forward with symptoms.

“There are many people who are getting mild symptoms such as flushing, or dry mouth, some dizziness and feeling unwell but there are people who are getting more serious symptoms such as an increased heart rate or fever, the hallucinations and confusion, and even delirium,” Adamo told Channel Nine’s Today show.

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Adamo said the weed was a small leaf that “looks quite similar to baby spinach, but it contains other compounds which are making people quite sick”.

“It is not something that can be sprayed on and washed off. It is a plant matter within the spinach and therefore all the batches need to be discarded,” she said.

Health authorities said anyone concerned about exposure to the contaminated spinach products should contact Victorian Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26, and those with severe symptoms should call triple zero.

With James Lemon and Sally Rawsthorne

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