As of June 9, a total of 21 persons infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Newport, Salmonella Hartford, or Salmonella Oranienburg have been reported from 12 states.

Two ill persons infected with a strain of Salmonella Oranienburg have been identified in two U.S. states. No deaths have been reported. Through product testing and interviews with ill people, these illnesses have been combined with the Salmonella Newport and Salmonella Hartford infections previously identified as part of this investigation.

Collaborative investigation efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate that organic sprouted chia powder is the likely source of this outbreak. Chia powder is made from ground dried chia seeds.

On June 4, Health Matters America Inc. recalled products that contain sprouted chia seed powder and sprouted chia/flax seed powder due to possible Salmonella contamination. On June 6, Navitas Naturals expanded their existing recall to include additional expiration dates of products containing organic sprouted chia powder.

The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to investigate similar cases of Salmonella infection in several Canadian provinces. Several Canadian companies have recalled products containing sprouted chia powder or chia seeds.

CDC recommends that consumers do not eat any of the recalled products containing chia. These products have a long shelf-life and may still be in people’s homes. The recalled products were available for purchase in many retail stores nationwide and online.

Release Date: June 11, 2014
Source: Centers for Disease Control