Salmonella outbreak tied to ‘Super Greens’ powdered supplement products

Super Greens Supplement Salmonella Outbreak

The ongoing Salmonella outbreaks linked to powdered plant-based supplements and minimally processed plant foods have escalated further, revealing an expanding public health threat that spans multiple product categories and international borders. New developments, including intensified FDA traceback efforts into a novel Salmonella Newport outbreak and the emergence of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains, underscore persistent vulnerabilities in manufacturing, supply chains, and regulatory oversight within the rapidly growing superfood and supplement markets.

Escalation of Outbreaks: Live it Up Super Greens and Rosabella Moringa Capsules

Two major supplement-related outbreaks remain at the forefront of this crisis:

The Live it Up Super Greens powdered supplement outbreak has now reached 65 confirmed cases across 28 states in the U.S., with several hospitalizations reported. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) has conclusively linked these infections to contaminated product lots.
In response, the manufacturer expanded a nationwide voluntary recall covering all distributed lots of Live it Up Super Greens, urging consumers to immediately discontinue use and return or dispose of the product safely.
A separate but equally concerning outbreak involves Rosabella Moringa capsules, produced by Ambrosia Brands LLC. Confirmed cases total 7 patients with 3 hospitalizations, and this outbreak is distinguished by the presence of an extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Salmonella strain resistant to nearly all first-line antibiotics.
Ambrosia Brands promptly initiated a voluntary recall of all Rosabella Moringa capsules to prevent further spread.

These outbreaks highlight the ongoing contamination risks in powdered supplements, amplified by the emergence of antimicrobial resistance that complicates treatment and containment.

New FDA Investigation: Targeting the Source of Salmonella Newport Outbreak

In a significant development, the FDA has launched an aggressive traceback investigation into a newly identified Salmonella Newport outbreak, currently confirmed in 38 patients as of late February. Although epidemiological links are still being mapped, preliminary genomic analyses suggest this strain may be connected to those implicated in other plant-based supplement and minimally processed food outbreaks.

The FDA’s intensified efforts include:

Accelerated traceback through complex supply chains to identify contamination points in raw material sourcing and processing.
Collaboration with state and international partners to coordinate sampling, testing, and data sharing.
Employing Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) to link clinical isolates with suspect products and environments.

This investigation underscores a widening Salmonella threat linked to plant-based powders and minimally processed foods, necessitating rapid interventions to prevent further cases.

Widening Scope of Contamination: Beyond Supplements to Diverse Plant-Based Products

The outbreak’s reach now extends well beyond powdered supplements, with multiple recalls issued for a variety of minimally processed, low-moisture plant foods and snacks across several countries:

Chia Seeds:
- Navitas Organics’ 8-ounce Organic Chia Seeds (U.S.) and
- The Foodie Market Milled Chia Seeds (Ireland)
  were recalled after Salmonella contamination was confirmed.
Fresh and Minimally Processed Berries:
UK retailer Tesco recalled its “Tesco Grape & Berry Medley” following Salmonella detection.
Confectionery:
A popular mint-flavored chocolate bar sold nationwide in the U.S. underwent a recall after routine testing revealed Salmonella contamination in a specific batch, indicating that even processed plant-derived snacks are at risk.
Tahini:
Canadian authorities announced a recall of Mahrousa brand tahini due to Salmonella contamination, marking an expansion of the outbreak into plant-based pastes and highlighting the international breadth of the issue.

These recalls reflect systemic weaknesses in raw ingredient sourcing, processing controls, and microbial safety measures within the global plant-based food supply chain.

Coordinated Federal and International Response Intensifies

In response to the growing outbreaks, U.S. and international regulatory agencies have escalated a multi-pronged strategy:

Trace-back investigations are mapping complex, multinational supply chains for raw plant materials to identify contamination origins.
Manufacturing process reviews focus on critical control points, particularly the lack or inadequacy of microbial kill-steps such as heat treatment or irradiation in powdered and low-moisture products.
Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) continues to be pivotal in linking clinical cases with contaminated products and characterizing antimicrobial resistance patterns.
Detailed antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiling informs clinical treatment guidelines and outbreak control strategies, especially important given the XDR Salmonella strains identified.
The FDA has broadened microbial surveillance and targeted pathogen testing protocols specifically for powdered supplements and minimally processed plant powders.
Enhanced import alerts and enforcement actions now address microbial contamination as well as labeling and additive violations in imported plant-based ingredients.

Dr. Janet Fields, senior FDA food safety expert, commented:

“These expanding Salmonella outbreaks tied to minimally processed plant powders expose critical gaps in regulatory oversight and supply chain transparency. Strengthening pathogen detection and enforcing robust controls are vital to protect consumers.”

Underlying Causes: Why Is Salmonella So Persistent in These Products?

Multiple factors contribute to the stubborn persistence and wide dissemination of these outbreaks:

Minimal or Absent Kill-Steps: Many powdered supplements and related products do not undergo adequate microbial lethality treatments, allowing Salmonella to survive.
Survival in Low Moisture Environments: Salmonella can remain viable for extended periods in low water activity products like powders and seeds, evading detection until distributed.
Complex Global Sourcing: Raw materials often originate from diverse international suppliers, complicating traceability and increasing contamination risks.
Lapses in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and insufficient supplier verification permit contaminated ingredients to enter production lines undetected.
Wide Distribution Networks: Powder and powdered products facilitate broad geographic spread, magnifying public health impacts once contamination occurs.

Consumer Guidance: Protect Yourself Amid Expanding Recalls

Public health authorities strongly urge consumers to remain vigilant and take the following precautions:

Stay Updated by monitoring announcements from the FDA, CDC, Health Canada, and local health departments for the latest recall information and outbreak updates.
Immediately Stop Using Recalled Products, including but not limited to:
- Live it Up Super Greens powdered supplements
- Rosabella Moringa capsules
- Tesco Grape & Berry Medley
- The Foodie Market Milled Chia Seeds
- Navitas Organics Organic Chia Seeds (select lots)
- Recalled batches of the mint-flavored chocolate bar
- Mahrousa brand tahini in Canada
Follow Disposal or Return Instructions Carefully to prevent accidental exposure.
Recognize Symptoms of Salmonella Infection such as fever, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting, particularly following consumption of implicated products.
Seek Prompt Medical Attention if symptoms arise, especially for vulnerable groups including children, older adults, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals.
Report Suspected Illnesses related to these products to local health authorities to aid outbreak investigations.
When purchasing plant-based powders or supplements, choose brands with documented pathogen testing, third-party certifications, and transparent supply chains to reduce risk.

Broader Implications: Strengthening Safety in the Superfood Sector

The persistence and expansion of these Salmonella outbreaks reveal urgent systemic challenges within the booming plant-based supplement and superfood industries:

Mandatory Routine Pathogen Testing tailored to minimally processed plant powders and pastes is essential to intercept contamination before products reach consumers.
Improved Supply Chain Transparency and Traceability will enable rapid identification and containment of contamination sources within complex global networks.
Stricter Supplier Oversight and Enforcement of Good Manufacturing Practices across all production stages are critical to minimizing microbial risks.
Expanded Consumer Education regarding microbial hazards in raw or lightly processed plant powders and the importance of vigilance during recalls will empower safer consumption.
Regulatory reforms slated for 2026 aim to codify these measures, introducing enhanced pathogen testing standards, traceability mandates, and broader enforcement powers.

As consumer demand for plant-based health supplements and superfoods continues to rise, balancing their nutritional benefits with stringent safety measures remains crucial to preserving public health and maintaining consumer confidence.

Consumers are urged to heed recall notices promptly, discontinue use of implicated products, and report any suspected illness. Transparency, regulatory diligence, and consumer awareness stand as the cornerstones of mitigating the ongoing impact of these Salmonella outbreaks and safeguarding the future of the superfood market.

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