A 16-state chia powder Salmonella outbreak has ended after sickening 31 people, according to an update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak involved three strains: Salmonella Newport (20 cases), Salmonella Hartford (7 cases) and Salmonella Oranienburg (4 cases.) Five people were hospitalized. No deaths were reported.
In Canada, 63 cases of Salmonella infections have linked to chia powder were also reported. Canadian health authorities believe that outbreak has also ended.
Health investigators in the U.S. traced the source of the outbreak, which began in late January, to organic sprouted chia powder. A number of product recalls were issued. Consumers who have any of these products should not use them.
Because it is considered a good source of omega-3 essential fatty acids fiber, calcium, iron and magnesium, chia powder has become a popular health food. Sprouted chia powder is made from chia seeds that are sprouted, dried, and ground. Because of the moist conditions required to sprout seeds, controlling bacterial growth can be difficult.
By state the breakdown of cases was as follows:Arizona (1), California (4), Colorado (1), Connecticut (3), Florida (1), Illinois (2), Maryland (1), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (1), New York (7), Ohio (1), Rhode Island (1), Texas (2), Utah (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (3).
