What is the Problem and What is Being Done About It?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Virchow. The epidemiological and laboratory evidence available at this time suggests that RAW Meal Organic Shake & Meal Replacement products manufactured by Garden of Life LLC of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida are a likely source of this outbreak.

According to the CDC, as of March 21, 2016, 27 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Virchow have been reported from 20 states including Alabama (1), California (2), Florida (1), Hawaii (1), Massachusetts (1), Maryland (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (3), New Jersey (2), New Mexico (1), North Carolina (2), Ohio (1), Oklahoma (1), Oregon (1), Rhode Island (1), Tennessee (1), Texas (2), Utah (2), Wisconsin (1), and West Virginia (1). Five people have been hospitalized. There have been no deaths reported. Fourteen people interviewed reported consuming powdered supplements or meal replacement powders in the week before illness onset, and all 10 reported consuming Garden of Life RAW Meal products.

On January 29, 2016, Garden of Life LLC voluntarily recalled RAW Meal Organic Shake & Meal Replacement chocolate, original, vanilla, and vanilla chai products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella Virchow.

On February 1, 2016, 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. Testing by Utah and Oklahoma Public Health Laboratory confirmed that Salmonella isolates collected by the states matched the outbreak strain.

On February 12, 2016, Garden of Life expanded its recall to include additional lots of RAW Meal Organic Shake and Meal Replacement Chocolate, Original, Vanilla, and Vanilla Chai products because an ingredient used in these lots has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The FDA is working with the firm to facilitate this recall.

FDA sampling confirmed the presence of the outbreak strain of Salmonella Virchow in Organic Moringa Leaf powder used in recalled RAW Meal Organic Shake & Meal Replacement products.

This investigation is ongoing. The FDA will continue to provide updates on the investigation as they become available.

What are the Signs & Symptoms of Salmonella?

Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most people recover without treatment.

How Soon do Symptoms Appear After Exposure?

Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection.

What are the Complications of Salmonella Infections?

In some people, the diarrhea may be so severe that they need to be hospitalized. In these patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.

Who is at Risk?

Some people are at greater risk for foodborne illness. These susceptible groups include:

• Pregnant women
• Young children
• Older adults
• People whose immune systems are compromised
• People who have decreased stomach acidity

Children are the most likely to get salmonellosis. The rate of diagnosed infections in children less than 5 years of age is higher than the rate in all other people. Children younger than 5 years of age, the elderly, and those people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections. It is estimated that approximately 400 people in the United States die each year with acute salmonellosis.

What Specific Products were Recalled?

The following Garden of Life raw organic meal products were recalled on January 29, 2016 and February 12, 2016.

What Do Retailers Need To Do?

Retailers should not sell or serve any of the recalled products.

What Do Consumers Need To Do?

Consumers should not consume any of the recalled products manufactured by Garden of Life LLC. If they have any such products, they should dispose of them in the garbage. The recalled products were sold nationwide in retail stores and online.

If you are unsure of your risk, ask your healthcare provider.

Consumers should always practice safe food handling and preparation measures. Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after handling food. If more specific information becomes available FDA and CDC will share it with the public as appropriate, along with any steps consumers can take to prevent illnesses.

Who Should be Contacted?

People who think they might have become ill from eating RAW Meal Organic Shake & Meal Replacement products should talk to their health care providers.

People with questions may call the Garden of Life Retail Support Team at 1-866-211-9058 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.

The FDA encourages consumers with questions about food safety to call 1-888-SAFEFOOD Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern time, or to consult the FDA website.