Salmonella outbreak tied to organic shakes
Federal officials from FDA and the CDC are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Virchow infections linked to organic shake and meal replacement products.
As of Feb. 1, 11 people in nine states have been infected with one person needing hospitalization. According to FDA, evidence available at this time suggests Raw Meal Organic Shake & Meal Replacement products manufactured by Garden of Life LLC of Florida are a likely source of the outbreak. Ten people interviewed by investigators reported consuming powdered supplements or meal replacement powders in the week before their illness began.
Lab tests conducted by the Utah Public Health Laboratory confirmed that Salmonella was isolated from an open container of Garden of Life RAW Meal organic shake product collected from a case patient. Oregon health officials also found Salmonella different open container of Garden of Life RAW Meal product. FDA says testing is being conducted on both samples to determine the specific pattern of Salmonella isolated from the product. This investigation is ongoing.
On Jan. 29, Garden of Life issued a voluntary recall of a limited quantity of its Raw Meal Organic Shake & Meal Chocolate, Original, Vanilla and Vanilla Chai products citing a potential to be contaminated with Salmonella Virchow. The company says every lot tested negative for the presence of Salmonella prior to release to the market. Raw Meal products are distributed throughout the United States and sold at better health food stores and natural grocers.
“In an overabundance of caution we are taking this extreme measure because we want to ensure that you never have to wonder about the purity of any Raw Meal product.” says Brian Ray, president of Garden of Life.
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