An urgent recall has been issued for packaged baby spinach after dozens of people reported worrying symptoms from eating the contaminated product.

Food Standards Australia and New Zealand is working with relevant food businesses and state food authorities to coordinate the national recall.

“Consumers who have the batch of spinach in question should not eat it and dispose of it,” the agency said in a statement on Friday.

Authorities believe the product, Riviera Farms-branded baby spinach, might have been accidentally contaminated, leading to people experiencing possible toxic reactions that include hallucinations and delirium.

The national recall includes bags of spinach sold through Costco in NSW, Victoria and the ACT with use-by dates from 16 December up to and including 28 December.

Authorities have warned the product is not safe to consume and people who still have it stored at home should throw it out.

NSW Health said it was working with other jurisdictions to investigate the issue and by Friday evening 47 people had reported symptoms after eating baby spinach, at least 17 of whom had sought medical help.

“The product is not safe to consume and people who have it should throw it out,” NSW Health said in a statement.

“Initial investigations suggest the presence of an accidental contaminant in the food product.”

Tweet from @NSWFoodAuth

Food Standards Australia and New Zealand said it was working with food businesses and state food authorities to coordinate the recall.

Riviera Farms said it had been in contact with state and federal food regulators after immediately advising customers to withdraw a spinach product from shelves following the contamination reports.

“Early reports are that our one-kilogram plastic tubs of spinach with a best before date of 16/12/2022 may be contaminated with a weed that can have health consequences if consumed,” a spokesman said.

“As soon as we were advised of the possible weed contamination from one of our customers, we immediately advised them to remove our impacted spinach from their shelves and contacted state health and federal food authorities.”

The company said there was no suggestion any other products had been impacted.

“Riviera Farms has been in the business of providing fresh food since the 1880s and we are saddened to confirm that we have likely had our first ever significant contamination incident,” it said.

Customers concerned about exposure to the spinach should call the Poisons Information Centre. Anyone who experiences unusual and severe symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.

-with AAP