Powdered greens can supercharge your smoothie, especially if they contain a plant ingredient the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center says has been linked to health benefits such as treating infections or lower high cholesterol levels. Just as you should always ask a healthcare provider before taking any supplements, an ongoing outbreak linked to a favorite powder supplement provides another reminder that you should think twice before adding a scoop to your favorite recipe.

First initiated on October 24, a Sam’s Club’s nationwide recall of 698,064 units of its Member’s Mark Super Greens dietary supplement powder went into effect after a multi-state Salmonella outbreak was linked to its use. According to a separate outbreak investigation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an ingredient found in the greens—organic moringa leaf powder—with three hospitalizations and 11 illnesses across seven U.S. states: Florida, Kansas, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Testing confirmed that the moringa was contaminated with “Salmonella Richmond.” Other products with moringa leaf powder, sold by different retailers, are also named in the outbreak report.

On November 21, the FDA officially flagged the Member’s Mark powder incident as a Class I event—the highest in a three-tier system used to convey public health risk. Due to the possibility of “ serious adverse health consequences or death,” Sam’s Club has reportedly stopped all sales and distribution of the Super Greens powder. 

The recall affects tubs sold in the 18.28-ounce (oz) size bearing any and all lot codes and expiration dates, as well as the UPC 193968490775. Each green plastic tub, produced by the California-based company MeriCal, LLC, contains 48 servings per container.

The FDA also supplied the following code information: 500-00055034; 500-00055035; 500-00055036; 500-00055037; 500-00055038; 500-00055039 500-00055040; 500-00055042; 500-00055043; 500-00055044; 500-00055045; 500-00055046 500-00055047; 500-00055048; 500-00055049; 500-00055050; 500-00055051; 500-00055052 500-00055053; 500-00055054; 500-00055055; 500-00055056; 500-00055057; 500-00055058 500-00056121; 500-00056122; 500-00056123; 500-00056124; 500-00056125; 500-00056126 500-00056127; 500-00056128; 500-00056129; 500-00056130; 500-00056131; 500-00056132 500-00056133; 500-00056134; 500-00056135; 500-00056136; 500-00056137; 500-00056138 500-00056139; 500-00056140; 500-00056141; 500-00056142; 500-00056143; 500-00056144 500-00056145; 500-00056146; 500-00056147; 500-00056148; 500-00056149; 500-00056150 500-00056151; 500-00056152; 500-00056153; 500-00056154; 500-00056155; 500-00056230 500-00056231; 500-00056318; 500-00056323; 500-00056429; 500-00056772

Investigators traced the contamination to a single lot of moringa, bearing the batch code “VFD/ORG/MORP/L/24” and the “Best By” date November 2027. It was sourced from Vallon Farm Direct in Jodhpur, India, and supplied to multiple distributors, says the FDA’s outbreak report.

Consumers who purchased the powder are strongly urged to stop using it immediately, either by discarding it or returning it to Sam’s Club for a refund. The FDA also recommends thoroughly washing or sanitizing any surfaces or utensils including countertops and scoops which may have come into contact with the powder, to prevent cross-contamination.

Symptoms of Salmonellosis, the infection caused by the bacteria Salmonella, may include diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, and vomiting, typically appearing 12 to 72 hours after exposure. The risk is higher for children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems, but anyone who becomes ill after using the product should consult a healthcare provider. According to the Cleveland Clinic, Salmonella causes 26,500 hospitalizations and around 420 deaths in the U.S. every year.

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Author
Lauren Gray
Lauren has a decade of experience covering health and wellness for SELF Magazine, Popular Mechanics, Yahoo! News, MSN, Best Life, and more. For three years she led the writing center at Woodstock School, one of the oldest international boarding schools in India.  Lauren is a young adult breast cancer survivor who now centers her personal life aro...
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Lauren Gray