Liquid Dietary Supplement Recalled For Salmonella Contamination

A liquid dietary supplement is being recalled for Salmonella contamination, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) just announced.

Botanical Laboratories of Ferndale, Washington is recalling the following “Digestive 3 in 1 Health” liquid dietary supplement products. Both products are packaged in white HDPE plastic bottles with a full body shrink sleeve label. The label is predominantly orange with green trim and print and the brand “Wellesse” appears across a white band at the top of the bottle in blue print. The product name “Digestive 3 in 1 Health” is printed on the front of the label in white with green-trimmed print:

• 33.8 Ounce: 36 bottles bearing “LOT 34552C,” followed by a four-digit time code and “A EXP 03/2014″ jet-coded on the bottom of the bottle.
• 16-Ounce: 275 bottles bearing “LOT 34441C,” followed by a four-digit time code and “A EXP 03/2014” jet-coded on the bottom of the bottle.

Both products were distributed nationwide through retail stores and online retailers. The product was distributed after May 1, 2012.

The supplier of one of the ingredients of these two supplement products indicated that the ingredient has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. To date, no illnesses have been reported; however, it is important to bear in mind that it can take some time from purchase to consumption for symptoms to manifest.

On May 29,2012, Botanical Laboratories was informed by raw ingredient supplier Corn Product Int. that “retain samples” of lot 117369 of the raw material Purimune (Galacto Oligosaccharide) tested positive for the dangerous, sometimes deadly, Salmonella pathogen. The ingredient is used to make “Digestive 3 in 1 Health” products.

The raw material received and tested by Botanical Laboratories has tested negative for Salmonella and no lots of the “Digestive 3 in 1 Health” final product have tested positive for Salmonella.

The firm advises consumers who have purchased the recalled Wellesse “Digestive 3 in 1 Health” supplement to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. The company can be reached, toll-free, at 1.800.232.4005.

The most common symptoms of Salmonella poisoning—salmonellosis—are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever, with symptoms manifesting, usually, within six to 72 hours. Additional symptoms include chills, headache, nausea, and vomiting that can last up to seven days. The illness usually lasts four to seven days; however, in some, the organism can invade the bloodstream, becoming so severe that hospitalization is required. Sometimes, infection with the Salmonella pathogen can result in, and produce more severe or chronic illnesses.

Salmonella poisoning—salmonellosis—can be dangerous, even deadly, leaving sufferers with serious life-long health issues. Salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial food borne illnesses, can be especially life threatening to those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly, and persons with HIV infection or who are undergoing chemotherapy.