Ohio residents should be aware that Garden of Life LLC has expanded a recall of its Raw Meal organic shake and meal powders due to salmonella Virchow contamination. The Florida-based company first initiated a recall on Jan. 29.
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, there have been two cases of salmonella infection linked to Garden of Life products reported in the state. The cases have the same DNA fingerprint pattern as Raw Meal-related infections reported in New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin. One Minnesota victim consumed a vanilla-flavored product, and the other consumed a chocolate-flavored product. Symptoms of salmonella infection include fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
After investigating in collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Garden of Life believes it has pinpointed the source of the salmonella contamination to organic moringa leaf powder, an ingredient in its Raw Meal nutritional supplements. The company said it will remove organic moringa leaf powder, which comes from a particular supplier, from all Raw Meal products. Other Garden of Life products contain moringa leaf powder, but it comes from different suppliers.
Garden of Life has asked all retailers to remove the recalled stock of Raw Meal from store shelves. Raw Meal products purchased on or after Nov. 1, 2015, or marked with a “Best Used by: 09/2017” date or later should not be consumed.
Ohio consumers made ill by defective products, such as supplement powders, may have grounds to pursue legal action against the responsible manufacturer. With the help of an attorney, a victim could be awarded compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering and other related damages.
Source: Food Safety News, “Garden of Life Expands Recall of Raw Meal Products Linked to Salmonella Outbreak,” Feb. 12, 2016