TORONTO – A salmonella outbreak linked to chia seeds has left at least 21 Americans and 34 Canadians from four provinces sick, health officials say.
In Canada, six people in B.C., four in Alberta, 22 in Ontario and two in Quebec have reported sickness from eating products with sprouted chia seeds. Last month, the Public Health Agency of Canada recalled the products and removed them from grocery store shelves because of possible salmonella contamination. Five cases led to hospitalizations.
On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S. issued a new warning to consumers who may eat chia powder, made from ground chia seeds and often added to smoothies and other foods for its health benefits. There, 21 people in 12 states have fallen ill.
READ MORE: National recall issued after salmonella outbreak linked to chia seeds
The Canadian recall includes chia seed products under the brands Organic Traditions, Back 2 the Garden, Intuitive Path SuperFoods, Harmonic Arts Botanical Dispensary, Naturallyorganic, and Peter’s Gluten Free.
Read the Canadian consumer warning here.
Read the CDC consumer warning here.
The products have a long shelf life, so health officials say they might still be in people’s homes. If you have these brands of chia seeds in your home, don’t eat them.
Chia seeds have been touted as a nutrition supplement that help in weight loss.
Those suffering from a salmonella infection usually experience fever, digestive problems and chills.
In healthy people it often clears up without treatment.
– With files from the Canadian Press
carmen.chai@globalnews.ca
Follow @Carmen_Chai
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