A New York-based food company has pulled several of its green powder supplements from stores and online marketplaces nationwide after federal regulators found evidence of salmonella contamination in one of its products.
Lexunder Inc., which does business as Food to Live and is based in Brooklyn, announced the recall on Aug. 7. The affected items include multiple varieties of wheatgrass powder, organic spirulina powder, organic algae powder mix, and organic SuperGrass powder, sold under the Food to Live brand name.
What Triggered the Recall?
The recall began after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alerted the company that a retail sample of Food to Live's Organic Supergreens Mix, an 8-ounce package with lot number SO-77820, tested positive for salmonella. Investigators have not yet identified the source of the contamination. Lexunder Inc. said it has halted production and distribution of the products while it and the FDA continue investigating.Where the Products Were Sold
The recalled powders were distributed across the country through the company's websites, foodtolive.com and foodinbulk.com, as well as other online marketplaces. The items were packaged in resealable stand-up pouches and in bulk cases weighing 33, 44, and 55 pounds. Affected lots span codes SO-72558 through SO-79374, along with specific batch codes VFD/ORG/MORP/B/25, C25051312, and OSP251001. The lot number and best-by date can be found on the back of each package beneath the Nutrition Facts panel, near the barcode.No illnesses connected to the recalled products have been reported so far.
Health Risks Tied to Salmonella
Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in young children, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals who become infected typically experience fever, diarrhea that may contain blood, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare cases, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and trigger more severe conditions such as infected aneurysms, endocarditis, and arthritis.The Mayo Clinic notes that salmonella infection, also called salmonellosis, is a common bacterial illness that targets the intestinal tract and spreads through contaminated food or water. Symptoms generally appear between 8 and 72 hours after exposure, though the incubation period can range from six hours to six days.
Most healthy people recover within days without treatment, but diarrhea can sometimes last up to 10 days, and full digestive recovery may take months. The Mayo Clinic advises that infants, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems should seek medical care if symptoms persist for several days, include high fever or bloody stool, or show signs of dehydration such as reduced urination, dark urine, or a dry mouth.