Navitas Naturals has expanded the recall of chia powder that is linked to a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 17 people in 10 states. The recall now includes products with “best by” dates in November 2015.
“Based on investigations by FDA and California Department of Public Health, one of our suppliers Health Matters America Inc. has expanded their recall of Chia products. As a result, we are expanding our voluntary recall to include a broader date range of products. Our business depends on providing safe and healthy food and we will not take chances with our consumer’s wellbeing. Because of this priority, in an abundance of caution, we have deliberately and voluntarily expanded this recall,” said Navitas Naturals CEO Zach Adelman. “Based on information from CDC we are not aware of any reported illnesses associated with the products included in this expanded date range.
The recall includes the following products which were distributed nationwide: Navitas Naturals Organic Sprouted Chia Powder, 8oz, UPC 858847000369 all best by dates up to and including 11/22/2015; Navitas Naturals Omega Blend Sprouted Smoothie Mix, 8oz, UPC 858847000314 all best by dates up to and including 11/05/2015 and Williams-Sonoma Omega 3 Smoothie Mixer, 8 oz, SKU 506436 all best by dates up to and including OC 2015. Consumers who have purchased any of these products should not use them. No other Navitas Naturals products are included in the recall.
Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, seniors, pregnant women and others with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of a Salmonella infection include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In small percentage of cases, the infection moves from the digestive tract to the bloodstream producing more severe illnesses.
During interviews, case patients in this outbreak reported onset of salmonellosis symptoms, which include fever, cramping and diarrhea, from January 21, 2014 to May 5, 2014. The outbreak includes two strains of Salmonella, one of which, a Salmonella Hartford strain has never before been seen in the U.S. Five of the 17 cases are of that strain, the other 12 are Salmonella Newport. The breakdown by state is as follows: Arizona (1), California (2), Connecticut (2), Ohio (1), Florida (1), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (1), New York (4), Utah (1), and Wisconsin (3).
