By Naveen Athrappully
Contributing Writer
New York-based Food to Live is recalling organic moringa products due to the risk that the items may be contaminated with salmonella bacteria, the company said in an announcement on Thursday, published by the Food and Drug Administration.
The recall is applicable to Organic Moringa Leaf Powder sold in packages of 8 ounces, 1 pound, 2 pounds, 4 pounds, 8 pounds, 16 pounds, and 44 pounds.
The second product subject to recall is Organic Supergreens Powder Mix, sold in packages of 8 ounces, 1 pound, 1.5 pounds, 3 pounds, 6 pounds, and 12 pounds.
The items were distributed nationwide through Food to Live’s website, as well as on ecommerce platforms such as Walmart, Amazon, Etsy, eBay, and Target. In addition, bulk quantities were shipped to food manufacturers and other businesses.
“Salmonella is an organism, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain,” the announcement said.
“In rare circumstances, infection with salmonella can result in the organism entering the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis.”
Only packages with lot codes that start with SO-69006 and end with SO-72558 are affected by the recall. The items were packaged in plastic stand-up pouches.
The company advised people who purchased the recalled items to either dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase to receive a full refund.
According to Food to Live, the recall was initiated after the FDA notified the company that a lot of moringa powder provided by a supplier had tested positive for salmonella and was linked to an outbreak of infections.
In an Oct. 31 statement, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned about a Salmonella outbreak linked to the consumption of moringa leaves. The plant is widely used in powdered supplements. The FDA traced salmonella contamination to a single lot of moringa leaf powder sourced from India.
In an update on Nov. 13, the CDC reported that 11 people have been infected in this outbreak across seven states, including three hospitalizations. No deaths have been reported.
In addition to Food to Live, moringa leaf powder sold by Africa Imports and Super Greens Powdered Supplements sold under the Member’s Mark brand by Sam’s Club are also affected.
People who consumed the recalled items may experience symptoms of salmonella infection, including diarrhea, fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, signs of dehydration, and diarrhea lasting more than three days. Such individuals should contact a health care provider, the agency said.
In its announcement, Food to Live said it has “immediately ceased distribution” of the affected product.
“We have suspended production and distribution of Organic Moringa Leaf Powder while we and the FDA continue to investigate the source and extent of the problem. Food To Live is working closely with the FDA to ensure all potentially unsafe product is removed from commerce,” according to the announcement.
In an October 2024 report, the CDC said that salmonella was the leading cause of foodborne illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths in the country as well as globally.
While scientists have identified over 2,500 salmonella types, fewer than 100 are responsible for the majority of human illnesses linked to the bacteria, according to the agency.
“CDC estimates salmonella cause about 1.35 million infections in the United States every year. Contaminated food is the source for most of these illnesses,” it said.
The Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service had proposed a rule to limit the presence of salmonella bacteria in poultry products.
However, the FSIS announced in April that it was withdrawing the proposal following a review of over 7,000 public comments on the issue.
The comments raised “several important issues that warrant further consideration,” FSIS said at the time. Such issues included the rule’s economic impacts, scientific basis, and potential burden on small producers.
