The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have updated their investigation into the Salmonella outbreak inked to organic sprouted chia powder. Now 25 people in 15 states have been sickened. Three people have been hospitalized; no deaths are reported. There are three separate strains of Salmonella bacteria in this particular outbreak.
As of July 14, 2014, a total of 25 ill persons infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Newport (16 persons), Salmonella Hartford (7 persons), or Salmonella Oranienburg (2 persons) have been reported from 15 states. The number of ill persons in each state is: Arizona (1), California (3), Colorado (1), Connecticut (3), Florida (1), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (1), New York (5), Ohio (1), Rhode Island (1), Texas (2), Utah (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (3). Since the last update on June 11, 2014, four more ill persons have been reported from New York (1), Rhode Island (1), and Texas (2).
Ill persons range in age from 1 year to 81 years, with a median age of 45 years. Sixty percent of ill persons are female. Among 20 ill persons who have been interviewed by public health officials, three (15%) report being hospitalized.
Investigations of state, local, and federal public health officials indicate that organic sprouted chia powder is the likely source of this outbreak. The powder is made from chia seeds that are sprouted, dried, and ground. The sprouting environment, which is warm and moist, is the ideal breeding ground for bacteria.
Several recalls of products containing chia seeds and organic sprouted chia seed powder have been issued in the United States and Canada. The government recommends that consumers do not eat any of the recalled product. These products have a long shelf life and are likely still in consumer’s homes, so please check your cupboards and pantry to see if you have any of these products. If you do, discard them in a closed container or return to the place of purchase for a refund.
If you have consumed chia products and have experienced the symptoms of a Salmonella infection, which include nausea,vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, chills, headache, muscle pains, and blood in the stool, see your doctor as soon as possible. Symptoms of a Salmonella infection appear six to seventy-two hours after exposure. Salmonella infections can be serious, especially for those in high risk groups, and the long term complications of a Salmonella infection can include reactive arthritis.
