According to a recent announcement by the California Department of Public Health, the Salinas, California-based Ippolito International LP has voluntarily recalled 1,715 cartons of bunched spinach due to a potential risk of salmonella, a bacteria associated with severe food poisoning.

Saying that 1,515 of the recalled 'bulk' cartons of bunched spinach are labeled "Queen Victoria" and 200 are labeled "Tubby," the Department added that the probably salmonella-tainted spinach was harvested between September 1 and September 3; and sold to retail, food-service and wholesale buyers.

The Department said that the packages had been shipped to the US states of California, Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, and New York; along with British Columbia, Ontario and Manitoba in Canada.

However, officials with a few companies, including Vons, Albertsons or Trader Joe's, confirmed on Friday that the lots which have been recalled had not been delivered at their stores.

It was a routine test that uncovered the salmonella strain in the bunched spinach, and prompted the recall by the company.

Though no illnesses have been reported thus far, Butch Corda, General Manager of Ippolito, said the recall was the first one for the company, which gives "food safety and public health" the top priority.

In a statement, Corda said: "Conducting this voluntary recall is the right thing to do for our customers and consumers."