Possible Salmonella contamination has prompted Sandy, Oregon-based Eclectic Institute to issue a recall of some dietary supplements. According to a notice posted on the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) website, the recall involves freeze-dried capsules containing Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) and Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus).
Specific products affected by this recall are sold under the product names Centella asiatica, Ginkgo/Gotu Kola combination, Fucus vesiculosus, and Bladderwrack. The UPC codes, Item numbers and Lot numbers can be found on the FDA website.
Eclectic Institute sold these products to retailers, individuals, and health practitioners throughout the United States. The affected lots of Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) products were sold from September 14, 2011 to December 14, 2011. The affected lots of Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) products were sold from July 14, 2011 to December 14, 2011.
Eclectic issued this voluntary recall because a routine audit of micro-testing records revealed that the micro-tests for one batch of Gotu Kola and one batch of Bladderwrack had conflicting lab results – one positive and one negative for Salmonella.
Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, Salmonella infection can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
According to the recall notice, no adverse effects or illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the recalled supplements.
Consumers with any of these supplements are urged to return the product to Eclectic Institute’s headquarters in Sandy, Oregon, for a full refund. Customers can also contact Eclectic Institute via telephone at 800.332.4372, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, or by mail to 36350 SE Industrial Way, Sandy, OR.
