Products containing chia seeds powder may contain salmonella, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cautioned.
Brands affected include Navitas Naturals, Williams-Sonoma, Green Smoothie Girl, Organic Traditions and Health Matters America. At least 21 people in 12 states have fallen sick due to the consumption of the chia seed powder products, heath officials said. States reporting the illness are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.
Chia seed powder is commonly used in smoothies and snacks for its nutritional value.
"It is the first time that chia powder has been identified as a food that transmits salmonella," said Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigator Dr. Laura Gieraltowski, reports Reuters.
Dr Gieraltowski said that the number of outbreaks associated with chia seeds are extremely low compared with illnesses caused by other foods. However, the powder's long shelf life and small serving size could mean that more people are getting ill but do not realize it. "People are just getting sick at a slower rate," Gieraltowski said. People who fell sick due the consumption of chia were mostly on vegan vegan, vegetarian or largely organic diets, Gieraltowski said.
The U.S. and Canada ordered a recall of food products containing chia seeds or chia powder. The Public Health Agency of Canada stated that 34 cases of salmonella infection in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec have been reported.
"These products have a long shelf life and may still be in people's homes. If you have these brands of dried sprouted chia seed powder products in your home, do not eat them. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased," the Public Health Agency of Canada wrote on its website.
Chia powder is made from finely ground sprouted chia seeds and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. It is quite popular for gluten-free and health food products.
