Multinational outbreak of drug-resistant salmonella linked to ‘superfood’ fad, nutritionists warn
Federal regulators warned Friday that an outbreak of various drug-resistant salmonella infections has been linked to moringa powder, a plant-based supplement that has recently gained popularity as a “super food” fad.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is conducting a follow-up investigation, said the outbreak was linked to certain Rosabella tablets distributed nationwide by Ambrosia Brands LLC.
Moringa powder, used for medicinal and nutritional purposes, is made from the dried leaves of the Moringa oleifera tree, which is native to India and is often called the “miracle tree.”
At least seven people in all seven states were infected with this type of outbreak between Nov. 7 and Jan. 8, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Regulators say cases have been reported in Washington, Arizona, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee and Florida.
Three people were admitted to the hospital, and it has not yet been reported that they have died.
The FDA said investigators interviewed three people with the virus, all of whom reported taking the pills.
Regulators emphasized that the strain of salmonella associated with the outbreak is resistant to all first-line antibiotics and other antibiotics commonly used to treat salmonella infections.
The FDA also announced that Ambrosia Brands LLC has agreed to recall a number of Rosabella-brand moringa powder tablets from the market.
Products are sold nationwide through Ambrosia Brands’ direct-to-consumer website, TikTok Shop and Amazon.
The company insisted that none of the affected lots were sold by them on Amazon and that they have no authorized sellers on the platform.
They added that unauthorized third-party sales to consumers may occur through eBay, Shein or other websites.
The recalled products are in bottles of 60 capsules with expiration dates from March 2027 to November 2027.
Lot codes include 5020591, 5020592, 5020593, 5020594, 5020595, 5020596, 5030246, 5030247, 5030248, 50302402502,502 5040270, 5040271, 5040272, 5040273, 5040274, 5040275, 5040276, 5040277, 5040278, 5040279, 505050505,5050505 5050056, 5060069, 5060070, 5060071, 5060072, 5060073, 5060074, 5060075, 5060076, 5060077, 50600078, 5060008 5080084, 5080085, 5080086, 5090107, 5090108, 5090109, 5090113, 5090114, 5090115, 5090116, 5090108, 5090109, 5090113, 5090114, 5090115, 5090116, 5090101, 509019 5100048.
“We continue to actively investigate, in cooperation with the FDA, this possible link to the salmonella outbreak in Rosebella Moringa Capsule,” the company said in a statement.
“We have stopped using and buying all raw moringa leaf powder from the raw material suppliers of the above mentioned places.”
“Ambrosia Brands is conducting this voluntary recall and takes this matter very seriously,” it added. “We apologize for the inconvenience and concern this recall may cause our customers.”
The company advised that consumers who purchased the lot should discard the product and not consume, sell or distribute it.
Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal illness within 12 to 72 hours of ingestion in young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
Healthy people infected with the virus often have fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
In severe and rare cases, the organism can enter the bloodstream and produce more serious diseases such as arterial disease, endocarditis and arthritis.
