Pharmavite LLC has issued a recall of specific Nature Made gummy and tablet vitamins due to possible salmonella or staphylococcus aureus contamination.
The products, which were sold at major retailers across the nation, were not properly tested for these contaminants.
Salmonella, an organism which 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.
The presence of Staph aureus toxin in food may lead to food poisoning. The onset of symptoms in staphylococcal food poisoning is usually rapid and in many cases acute, depending on individual susceptibility to the toxin, the amount of contaminated food eaten, the amount of toxin in the food ingested, and the general health of the victim. The most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, retching, abdominal cramping, and prostration. Some individuals may not always demonstrate all the symptoms associated with the illness. In more severe cases, headache, muscle cramping, and transient changes in blood pressure and pulse rate may occur.
Consumers should not take the vitamins and can return them to the retailer for a full refund.Contact Pharmavite with any questions Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time Zone at 1-800-276-2878.
My suggestion? Return any products included in the recall and spend your money on real food, cooked from scratch. Or not… including raw, whole foods is also important. To supplement particular nutrients, make sure to use high quality, recommended brands only. Save money on your paper towels or toilet paper instead!
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