Powdered supplements sold at Sam’s Club stores have been linked to at least 11 cases of salmonella in seven states, federal health officials said Friday.
Members’ Mark Supergreens powder supplement, which was sold at discount stores and online nationwide, was pulled from store shelves because the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found it contained moringa leaf powder that may have been contaminated with salmonella bacteria. said From a warning posted on the website.
The agency requested, “If you have any of the products below at home, please discard them or return them to the store.” The product is not subject to recall.
Three of the people infected with salmonella were hospitalized, the agency said. Illnesses reported between May and September were confirmed in Florida, Kansas, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, South Carolina and Virginia.
An investigation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that the source of salmonella was traced to a lot of organic moringa leaf powder imported from Vallon Farm Direct in Jodhpur, India. State health officials in Virginia and Michigan have been collecting and testing product samples from the homes of sick people.
The CDC said it may add other Vallon Farm products containing moringa leaf powder as the investigation continues.
Moringa is a plant native to India and other countries known for its essential nutrients, including proteins, amino acids, vitamins and minerals, according to a study published by the National Institutes of Health. The leaves can be dried and ground into powder.
People infected with salmonella may experience symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. In rare cases, salmonella can cause more serious illnesses, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms.
In young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems, the infection may be serious and require hospitalization.
