The FDA and CDC are investigating a new outbreak of Salmonella Richmond infections that have been traced to imported moringa leaf powder.
As of Oct. 31 there are 11 confirmed outbreak patients across seven states. Three of the patients have required hospitalization. Illnesses started on dates ranging from May 12 through Sept. 4. Patients range in age from 13 to 65 years old.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nine of 10 patients interviewed reported eating powdered dietary supplements. Six of these people reported eating Member’s Mark Super Greens Powder. Three people reported other products containing moringa leaf powder.
The powder was sold online and at Sam’s Club stores nationwide. Sam’s Club has ceased distribution and sales of the product. Consumers who still have this product in their homes should not eat or serve recalled Member’s Mark Super Greens dietary supplement powder and should throw this product away or return to place of purchase. Sam’s Club has also contacted their customers directly to notify them of the recall.
The moringa powder was supplied to the United States by Vallon Farm Direct PVT LTD of Johdpur, India.
The Food and Drug Administration used traceback records for organic moringa leaf powder collected from the supply chain for all eight points of sale, which converged at a direct importer of organic moringa leaf powder sourced from Vallon Farm Direct PVT LTD in India.
As part of the outbreak investigation, the Virginia Department of Health collected an open sample of moringa leaf powder from an ill person’s home. This sample tested positive for Salmonella and based on whole-genome sequencing matches the strain causing illnesses in this outbreak, according to the CDC.
Also, an open sample of Member’s Mark Super Greens dietary supplement powder was collected from an ill person’s home by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and analyzed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. This sample tested positive for Salmonella and based on whole-genome sequencing matches the strain causing illnesses in this outbreak.
According to the CDC there are likely many more outbreak patients than have been identified because some people don’t seek medical attention and others are not specifically tested for Salmonella infection. The agency estimates that for every confirmed patient in a Salmonella outbreak there are 29 more who go undetected.
About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.
Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled product and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.
Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.
Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.
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