Chia Seeds: 65 Salmonella Infections, Expanding Recall | Food Safety News

The 21 cases in the U.S. are in people aged 1 to 81 across 12 states. Among 15 ill persons with available information, two report being hospitalized — not an unusual rate for standard infections. No deaths have been reported to date.

The outbreak strains include Newport, Hartford and Oranienburg. The 44 cases reported across four Canadian provinces include these, as well as the Saintpaul strain. Six of the Canadian victims have been hospitalized.

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“This is the first time that chia seeds have been identified as a food that transmits Salmonella,” said Dr. Laura Gieraltowski, an epidemiologist with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and one of the lead investigators on the outbreak.

The list of recalled products has been expanding since the first one issued by Navitas Naturals on May 28. Two other U.S. companies have since recalled their chia powder products, and Navitas has expanded its recall to include a broader date range.

“The traceback investigation is still ongoing, but [the U.S. Food and Drug Administration] did trace back chia products reported by the ill people that did show that it came from a particular farm,” Gieraltowski said.

Eight brands in Canada have announced their own recalls of seeds, powders, trail mix, and fruit and nut bars.

Chia Seeds: 65 Salmonella Infections, Expanding Recall | Food Safety News

See also:

Comprehensive List: Recalled Chia Powder Brands and Related Salmonella Cases

 US products effected by recall:

First, Navitas Naturals recalled its Organic Sprouted Chia Powder and Omega Blend Sprouted Smoothie Mix, along with the Williams-Sonoma Omega 3 Smoothie Mixer, on May 28. This recall was expanded on June 6 to include a broader date range of products.

Next was Health Matters America Inc.’s recall of Organic Traditions Sprouted Chia Seed Powder and Sprouted Chia & Flax Seed Powder.

Canadian products effected by recall:

Canada’s recalls include mostly Organic Traditions products from Advantage Health Matters and BioEssential Botanicals. Chia seed products under the brand names of Back 2 the Garden, Intuitive Path SuperFoods, Harmonic Arts Botanical Dispensary, Naturallyorganic, Pete’s Gluten Free, Noorish Superfoods, Madegood, and Dietary Express have also been recalled.