Garden of Life expanded their previous recall of raw meal organic shakes. The initial recall came a few weeks ago as a number of Salmonella cases were linked to the product.
The company has identified the source as organic Moringa Leaf powder. So what is moringa? Evdently, moringa oleifera, is a plant that is native to northern India, Pakistan, and Africa. It is said to have health benefits and has been used by a number of different cultures in traditional healing. It is called the 'miracle tree'. But not the Salmonella tree? It is not different than other trees where birds land and do what birds do...or doodoo. Since the leaves are considered raw, there would not be a heat reduction step, but there still should be something considered a bacterial reduction step. Perhaps an antimicrobial wash? Or is the leave powder treated? Whichever, either the treatment was not completed properly, not done at all, or circumvented by post-process contamination.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm486234.htm
Garden of Life Expands Voluntary Recall to Include Additional Lots of Raw Meal Products Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination
For Immediate Release
February 13, 2016
Contact
Consumers RawMealRecallInfo@gardenoflife.com (866)211-9058
Media Rhonda Price (561)371-9407
Announcement
Garden of Life LLC is expanding its January 29th voluntary recall to include additional lots of its Raw Meal Organic Shake & Meal Chocolate, Original, Vanilla and Vanilla Chai products because an ingredient used in certain lots of the product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella Virchow. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection withSalmonella 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. If you have symptoms or concerns, please talk to your doctor.
Garden of Life has requested that retailers remove the lots of Raw Meal from sale and that consumers check the lot number on their Raw Meal product and return any products involved in this recall to their point of purchase for a full refund.
After extensive testing of the product and its ingredients, and working in collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the manufacturer, suppliers and other third-party experts, the Company has now identified the likely source of Salmonella contamination to be Organic Moringa Leaf powder from a supplier used only in Raw Meal. Because other Garden of Life products containing Moringa use different suppliers, only Raw Meal is exposed.
Following is the list of lots affected added to this recall. Consumers can find the lot codes prominently stamped on the underside of the plastic container.
February 12, 2016 Recall Lots
See List - http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm486234.htm
No other Garden of Life products are affected by this recall.
To prevent a recurrence of this issue, Garden of Life will remove Organic Moringa powder from Raw Meal and expects new Raw Meal products to be available in stores and through online retailers within the next few weeks.
“The health of our consumers matters more than anything to every Garden of Life employee,” said Brian Ray, Garden of Life’s President. “We are using this as an opportunity to review our entire sourcing, manufacturing and distribution system with an eye to making a safe system even better. We will always work to be the industry leader in food safety; we expect nothing less and know you do as well. You can expect to hear more from us on this topic going forward. On behalf of all of us, I apologize to everyone affected by this situation.”
ABOUT RAW MEAL: Raw Meal is sold at better health food stores, natural grocers and online. Consumers who have a Raw Meal product affected by this recall should stop consuming the product and if they wish 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 Monday-Friday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM EST to GOL Retail Support at the e mail and phone number below.
Fox News - MEDICINE HUNTER
The company has identified the source as organic Moringa Leaf powder. So what is moringa? Evdently, moringa oleifera, is a plant that is native to northern India, Pakistan, and Africa. It is said to have health benefits and has been used by a number of different cultures in traditional healing. It is called the 'miracle tree'. But not the Salmonella tree? It is not different than other trees where birds land and do what birds do...or doodoo. Since the leaves are considered raw, there would not be a heat reduction step, but there still should be something considered a bacterial reduction step. Perhaps an antimicrobial wash? Or is the leave powder treated? Whichever, either the treatment was not completed properly, not done at all, or circumvented by post-process contamination.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm486234.htm
Garden of Life Expands Voluntary Recall to Include Additional Lots of Raw Meal Products Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination
For Immediate Release
February 13, 2016
Contact
Consumers RawMealRecallInfo@gardenoflife.com (866)211-9058
Media Rhonda Price (561)371-9407
Announcement
Garden of Life LLC is expanding its January 29th voluntary recall to include additional lots of its Raw Meal Organic Shake & Meal Chocolate, Original, Vanilla and Vanilla Chai products because an ingredient used in certain lots of the product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella Virchow. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection withSalmonella 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. If you have symptoms or concerns, please talk to your doctor.
Garden of Life has requested that retailers remove the lots of Raw Meal from sale and that consumers check the lot number on their Raw Meal product and return any products involved in this recall to their point of purchase for a full refund.
After extensive testing of the product and its ingredients, and working in collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the manufacturer, suppliers and other third-party experts, the Company has now identified the likely source of Salmonella contamination to be Organic Moringa Leaf powder from a supplier used only in Raw Meal. Because other Garden of Life products containing Moringa use different suppliers, only Raw Meal is exposed.
Following is the list of lots affected added to this recall. Consumers can find the lot codes prominently stamped on the underside of the plastic container.
February 12, 2016 Recall Lots
See List - http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm486234.htm
No other Garden of Life products are affected by this recall.
To prevent a recurrence of this issue, Garden of Life will remove Organic Moringa powder from Raw Meal and expects new Raw Meal products to be available in stores and through online retailers within the next few weeks.
“The health of our consumers matters more than anything to every Garden of Life employee,” said Brian Ray, Garden of Life’s President. “We are using this as an opportunity to review our entire sourcing, manufacturing and distribution system with an eye to making a safe system even better. We will always work to be the industry leader in food safety; we expect nothing less and know you do as well. You can expect to hear more from us on this topic going forward. On behalf of all of us, I apologize to everyone affected by this situation.”
ABOUT RAW MEAL: Raw Meal is sold at better health food stores, natural grocers and online. Consumers who have a Raw Meal product affected by this recall should stop consuming the product and if they wish 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 Monday-Friday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM EST to GOL Retail Support at the e mail and phone number below.
Fox News - MEDICINE HUNTER
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/11/12/healing-powers-moringa.html
The healing powers of moringa
By Chris Kilham Published November 12, 2014
FoxNews.com
The healing powers of moringa
By Chris Kilham Published November 12, 2014
FoxNews.com
In a remote valley of Congo, on a farm with splendid views of lush green mountains, I stand amidst a plantation of young moringa trees. The green leaves glisten in the African sun, the seed pods hang in curls. I pull a tender young leaf and chew on it, enjoying the fresh, pleasing taste. The Belgian couple growing this crop plans to cash in on an up-and-coming trend and their timing appears to be just right.
Over the past few years, a botanical new to the U.S. and European markets has been making impressive gains in popularity, due to its broad traditional benefits and emerging supportive science. That plant, moringa oleifera, is native to northern India, Pakistan, the Himalayan region, Africa and Arabia, but is now cultivated more widely throughout the tropics. The young plantation I have visited in Congo is one such cultivation project.
Also known as drumstick tree or horseradish tree, moringa trees grow quickly, reaching a height of between 15 and 30 feet within just a few years. The leaves, fruit flowers and immature pods of the tree are eaten as nutritious foods. The leaves in particular are consumed either raw in salads, tossed into blender drinks, or steamed like spinach. Rich in protein, beta-carotene, vitamin C, potassium and calcium, the leaves make an excellent green vegetable, and are pleasing in flavor.
But beyond the flavor and nutrition, moringa offers healing benefits. Virtually all parts of the plant are used to treat inflammation, infectious disorders, and various problems of the cardiovascular and digestive organs, while improving liver function and enhancing milk flow in nursing mothers. The uses of moringa are well documented in both the Ayurvedic and Unani systems of traditional medicine, among the most ancient healing systems in the world.
Moringa is rich in a variety of health-enhancing compounds, including moringine, moringinine, the potent antioxidants quercetin, kaempferol, rhamnetin, and various polyphenols. The leaves seem to be getting the most market attention, notably for their use in reducing high blood pressure, eliminating water weight, and lowering cholesterol.
Studies show that moringa leaves possess anti-tumor and anti-cancer activities, due in part to a compound called niaziminin. Preliminary experimentation also shows activity against the Epstein-Barr virus. Compounds in the leaf appear to help regulate thyroid function, especially in cases of over-active thyroid. Further research points to anti-viral activity in cases of Herpes simplex 1.
Now that moringa is emerging as a popular supplement for health enhancement, the science on this plant is accelerating. The glucose-modifying, anti-diabetic effects of moringa may prove of great use amidst a virtual epidemic of Type 2 diabetes and obesity. The liver-protective activities of the leaf and its extracts could make it a staple component of bitters formulas and various cleansing preparations. And ongoing work on the anti-cancer properties of moringa may at some point earn this plant a role in chemotherapy.
In the traditional medicinal systems of many cultures, plants with long uses and benefits remain to be discovered. Moringa oleifera, unknown in the market just ten years ago, is surging into greater popularity due to its multiple health benefits and nutritious value as a food. Also known colloquially as “miracle tree,” moringa is a valuable plant medicine, and deserves a place in the home pharmacy.
Chris Kilham is a medicine hunter who researches natural remedies all over the world, from the Amazon to Siberia. He teaches ethnobotany at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he is Explorer In Residence. Chris advises herbal, cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies and is a regular guest on radio and TV programs worldwide. His field research is largely sponsored by Naturex of Avignon, France. Read more at MedicineHunter.com.
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