Smoothies suspected of spreading salmonella

The California Department of Public Health is warning the public not to eat three products from a Novato-based company that may be contaminated with salmonella.

The warning includes Navitas Naturals products including Navitas Naturals Organic Sprouted Chia Powder, Navitas Naturals Omega Blend Sprouted Smoothie Mix and Williams-Sonoma Omega 3 Smoothie Mixer.

As of Tuesday, 12 patients infected with the same strain of salmonella have been reported in the U.S., according to the CDPH. Two of the patients are from Southern California and a patient in another state has been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

Interviews conducted with patients suggest chia powder may be the source of the illness cluster, according to the CDPH. Novato-based Navitas Naturals has initiated a voluntary recall of the products due to the potential salmonella contamination.

The recall includes Navitas Naturals Organic Sprouted Chia Powder with “Best Buy Dates” April 30, 2015 to Sept. 5, 2015, Navitas Naturals Omega Blend Sprouted Smoothie Mix with dates July 29, 2015 to Sept. 19, 2015, and Williams-Sonoma Omega 3 Smoothie Mixer with dates Sept. 12, 2015 to Oct. 2, 2015.

The CDPH is asking consumers in possession of these products to discard them or return them to where they purchased them for a refund.

Symptoms of salmonella infection include fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea, which may be bloody. Most infected people recover within a week, but some people may develop complications that require hospitalization.

Infants, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk for more severe illness, according to the CDPH.

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