Chia seed recall as FDA issues highest risk level after salmonella warning

Recalled batches of chia seeds have been given the highest risk classification by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration .

Natural Sourcing International's Great Value Organic Black Chia Seeds were recalled due to potential salmonella contamination and risk of food poisoning.

The seeds , packaged by Natural Sourcing International and sold under Walmart's Great Value brand, were recalled from stores in 12 states - Alabama, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.

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"Natural Sourcing International is initiating a voluntary recall of one lot of Great Value Organic Black Chia Seeds 32 oz. due to the potential presence of Salmonella that may be in some of the finished products," the FDA wrote in mid-May .

The seeds have since been given a Class I risk classification by the FDA due to " serious adverse health consequences or death."

The FDA said: "While no adverse events associated with the products have been reported to date, products are being recalled out of an abundance of caution and because consumer safety is the company’s highest priority.

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The FDA urged the public to watch out for the product by identifying the main label and lot number printed on the bottom of the back panel on the packaging, which contains a green background with the purple and white Great Value logo and a wooden spoon on the front in front of the small black seeds . It noted that the products were sent to Walmart for nationwide distribution.

The packages are 32 ounces, and the lot code was listed as 24095 C018, with an expiration date of October 30, 2023. The UPC number is 078742300665. Anyone in possession of the product is being urged to throw them away. They can then contact National Sourcing International, which will provide a replacement product if proof of purchase is shown. Customer service can be reached at 1-818-405-9705, with office hours Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. The company can also be emailed at customerservice@organically-simple.com.

The FDA added: "Salmonella 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 (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."