Garden of Life announced via PR Newswire last week that it is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of its RAW Meal Organic Shake & Meal products because they have the potential to contain Salmonella Virchow. The move comes as more and more food suppliers and retailers have begun reporting similar instances.
The affected products included a limited quantity of RAW Meal Organic Shake & Meal products that were available in chocolate, vanilla and vanilla chai flavor. At the time, Garden of Life ensured consumers that it routinely performs pathogen testing on every finished good lot to ensure that none of the products tested positive for the virus. However, the recall was issued since it was in the public's best interest.
Despite its precautions, some contaminated products managed to get through, and now there is a multistate salmonella outbreak linked to Garden of Life products, reported CNN. Eleven people have been sickened with the pathogen, with their illnesses reported in Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin.
Just like before, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges anyone who has the products to throw them away or return them to the store of purchase. The CDC further recommended sealing the discarded products in a plastic bag and placing them in a closed trash can so no animal - or human - can eat it.
"When you throw it away, put it in a closed plastic bag and place the bag in a sealed trash can. This will prevent other people or animals from eating it," the CDC advised.
Anyone who finds that they have one of the related products but are unsure if they are affected by the recall can check the CDC website for the lot number.
Consumers with further questions can contact Garden of Life at 1-866-465-0051.
