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Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Infections Linked to Organic Sprouted Chia Powder (Final Update)

Posted August 13, 2014 2:30 PM ET

This outbreak appears to be over. However, Salmonella is an important cause of human illness in the United States. More information about Salmonella, and steps people can take to reduce their risk of infection, can be found on the CDC Salmonella Web Page.

Highlights

  • Read the Advice to Consumers»
  • This outbreak appears to be over.
  • A total of 31 persons infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Newport (20 persons), Salmonella Hartford (7 persons), or Salmonella Oranienburg (4 persons) were reported from 16 states.
  • Five ill persons were hospitalized. No deaths were reported.
  • Collaborative investigation efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicated that organic sprouted chia powder was the likely source of this outbreak.
    • Sprouted chia powder is made from chia seeds that are sprouted, dried, and ground.
  • CDC’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) laboratory conducted antibiotic resistance testing on Salmonella isolates collected from four ill persons infected with Salmonella Hartford or Newport.
    • All isolates were pansusceptible (susceptible to all antibiotics tested).
  • As a result of this investigation, several recalls of products containing organic sprouted chia powder and chia seeds were issued. Although the outbreak appears to be over, these products have a long shelf life and may still be in people’s homes. Consumers unaware of the recall could continue to eat the products and potentially get sick.
    • CDC recommends that consumers do not eat any of the recalled products containing organic sprouted chia powder or chia seeds.
    • The recalled products were available for purchase in many retail stores nationwide and online.
  • The Public Health Agency of Canada investigated similar cases of Salmonella infection in several Canadian provinces.
    • Several Canadian companies recalled products containing sprouted chia powder or chia seeds.
  • Salmonella is an important cause of human illness in the United States. More information about Salmonella, and steps people can take to reduce their risk of infection, can be found on the CDC Salmonella Web Page.

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