Image from Garden of Life LLC website.

The Kane County Health Department is advising residents that Garden of Life LLC is voluntarily withdrawing a limited quantity of its Raw Meal Organic Shake & Meal Chocolate, Original, Vanilla and Vanilla Chai because they have the potential to contain Salmonella Virchow. Even though Garden of Life routinely performs pathogen testing on every finished good lot to ensure safety and no product has ever tested positive for the presence of Salmonella, the company felt it was in the public’s best interest to take this voluntary action.

Raw Meal products are distributed throughout the United States and sold at better health food stores and natural grocers. Every lot tested negative for the presence of Salmonella prior to release to the market, and no illnesses have been reported in Kane County related to these products. For list of recalled products visit the Garden of Life website.

All other Raw Meal product are entirely safe and not affected by this recall. All Garden of Life products are manufactured in the United States at FDA and NSF audited facilities, in accordance with current Good Manufacturing Practices. No Garden of Life product has ever tested positive for salmonella.

Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella 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.

If a consumer has purchased a recalled product and wishes to return it, they should return the unused portion of the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Questions may be directed to the company at 1-866-465-0051, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST Monday through Friday.

SOURCE: Kane County Health Department news release

About the Kane County Health Department

In active partnership with our community, the Kane County Health Department improves the quality of life and well-being of all residents by developing and implementing local policies, systems, and services that protect and promote health, and prevent disease, injury and disability. Visit the Health Department’s Facebook Page and sign up for the award-winning “Health Matters” newsletter.