The company seems to be taking the approach that their product is not to blame. “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.” said Brian Ray, President of Garden of Life. In their release published by FDA, they state that all product is tested.
Upon evaluating the ingredient statement (pic below), we see that there is sprouted seed sprout items present. If it is indeed raw, it can be the source of Salmonella. Testing is not full proof, especially when there are low levels of the contaminate. Even with large sample size testing, it may be difficult to find contamination levels below 1%. It is important to remember that Salmonella can survive in dry products like this for months or even years.
Answers that would be good to know - where do the ingredients originate and how were they processed? Does the facility do incoming checks on ingredients and do they have an aggressive sampling plan? Do they monitor for Salmonella in their processing environment? What type of approach are they taking with regard to determining the source of the Salmonella?
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm484027.htm
Garden of Life, LLC Recalls Raw Meal Organic Shake & Meal Products Because of Possible Health Risk
Recall: Firm Press Release
For Immediate Release
January 29, 2016
Contact Consumers 1-866-465-0051
Firm Press Release
Garden of Life LLC is voluntarily withdrawing a limited quantity of its Raw Meal Organic Shake & Meal Chocolate, Original, Vanilla and Vanilla Chai because they have the potential to contain Salmonella Virchow. Even though Garden of Life routinely performs pathogen testing on every finished good lot to ensure safety and no product has ever tested positive for the presence of Salmonella, the company felt it was in the public's best interest to take this voluntary action. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. FDA is investigating illnesses.
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.
Consumers who believe they may have a Raw Meal product affected by this recall, should look for the following lot codes prominently stamped on the underside of the plastic container. The following is the list of lots affected:
| PRODUCT NAME | Lot Number | Exp Date |
|---|---|---|
| RAW Organic Meal 10 CNT Tray | 47214800 | 9/12017 |
| RAW Organic Meal Chocolate Full Size | 47198800 | 9/1/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Full Size | 47214600 | 9/1/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Vanilla Chai Full Size | 47215500 | 9/1/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Vanilla Chai Full Size | 47215501 | 9/1/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Vanilla Full Size | 47216100 | 9/1/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Vanilla Full Size | 47225500 | 9/1/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Chocolate Full Size | 47225900 | 9/1/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Chocolate Full Size | 47249200 | 9/1/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Vanilla Chai 10 CNT Tray | 47183201 | 9/30/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Vanilla Full Size | 47198601 | 9/30/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Vanilla Chai Half Size | 47206000 | 9/30/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Vanilla Full Size | 47225600 | 9/30/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Half Size | 47225800 | 9/30/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Chocolate Half Size | 47226200 | 9/30/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Vanilla Half Size | 47226400 | 9/30/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Full Size | 47236000 | 9/30/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Vanilla 10 CNT Tray | 47248000 | 9/30/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Full Size | 47248901 | 9/30/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Vanilla Full Size | 47253900 | 9/30/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Vanilla Half Size | 47257401 | 9/30/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Chocolate Full Size | 47226000 | 10/1/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Vanilla Full Size | 47216200 | 10/31/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Vanilla Full Size | 47225601 | 10/31/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Chocolate Full Size | 47226100 | 10/31/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Chocolate Half Size | 47226201 | 10/31/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Vanilla Chai Full Size | 47226300 | 10/31/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Full Size | 47246500 | 10/31/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Vanilla Chai Full Size | 47247600 | 10/31/17 |
| RAW Organic Meal Chocolate Half Size | 47247800 | 10/31/17 |
“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.” said Brian Ray, President of Garden of Life.
Any Raw Meal product from a lot code not listed above is entirely safe and not affected by this recall. All Garden of Life, LLC’s products are manufactured in the United States at FDA and NSF audited facilities, in accordance with current Good Manufacturing Practices. No Garden of Life product has ever tested positive for salmonella.
If, however, a consumer has purchased a product from any of the lot codes listed above and wishes to return it, they should return the unused portion of the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Questions may be directed to the company at 1-866-465-0051, Monday-Friday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM EST.
Minnesota Department of Health
http://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2016/salmonella012916.html
News Release
January 29, 2016
Contact information
State officials investigating Salmonella cases linked to powdered ‘Garden of Life Organic Shake & Meal Replacement’
State health and agriculture officials are investigating an outbreak of foodborne illness associated with eating “Garden of Life Organic Shake & Meal Replacement” in Minnesota and several other states.
Two cases of Salmonella Virchow infection with the same DNA fingerprint pattern have been reported to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) since Monday, January 11. One case was a child and one was an adult in his 30s. Neither was hospitalized, and both have recovered.
Since many cases of Salmonella infection (salmonellosis) do not seek health care and get tested, the number of ill people that are part of this outbreak is likely to be larger than the identified cases. Consequently, health officials want to bring this outbreak to the attention of people who have become ill with symptoms of salmonellosis but who have not yet consulted a health care provider. These people should mention this outbreak to their health care provider should they consult one.
Several matching Salmonella Virchow cases in other states have reported eating this product, which is a powdered nutritional supplement and meal replacement. These states include Wisconsin, Tennessee, Oregon, New Jersey, New Mexico and Utah. Most of these states have reported single cases.
Symptoms of salmonellosis include diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever. Symptoms usually begin within 12 to 72 hours after exposure, but they can begin up to a week afterexposure. Salmonella infections usually resolve in 5 to 7 days, but approximately 28 percent of laboratory-confirmed cases require hospitalization. Invasive infections (for example, blood stream infections, meningitis) occasionally occur.
In rare cases, Salmonella infection can lead to death, particularly in the elderly or those with weakened immune systems. Many Salmonella infections in otherwise healthy people do not require medical treatment. For those who do seek health care, most do not need to be treated with antibiotics. However, antibiotic treatment for certain categories of people and for more severe infections is warranted.
Please consult your health care provider for more information with specific questions about treatment of salmonellosis.
One of the Minnesota cases ate vanilla flavored product and one ate chocolate flavored product. Cases in other states reported eating the vanilla flavor or the chocolate flavor. This type of food product is often purchased at nutrition stores and food cooperatives. The two cases in Minnesota purchased the items at separate places.
This is an ongoing investigation, and the extent of the product contamination is unknown. Based on the information collected to date, health officials recommend not eating any flavor of this product if purchased on or after November 1, 2015. Additionally, product with a “Best Used by: 09/2017” date or later stamped on the bottom of the container should not be consumed.
Investigators from MDH, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and other states are working on testing products for contamination. The company has issued a recall. If customers have purchased recalled product, they can return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
The company’s news release can be found at:
Garden Of Life, LLC Recalls Raw Meal Organic Shake & Meal Products Because Of Possible Health Risk
More information will become available as the investigation proceeds.
Approximately 700-900 cases of salmonellosis are reported each year in Minnesota. More information on Salmonella and how to prevent it can be found on the MDH website at Salmonellosis.
-MDH-
From Garden of Life website
Ingredient Statement
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