FDA investigating Salmonella outbreak connected to moringa powder

Public health officials are investigating a salmonella outbreak linked to Rosabella brand moringa powder, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC, Food and Drug Administration and state public health officials are investigating drug-resistant salmonella infections linked to some batches of the product.

The FDA said seven illnesses in seven states, three of which resulted in hospitalization, may be linked to Rosabella capsules and said it would continue to investigate the outbreak. At least one case of salmonella has been reported in Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee and Washington state.

The product’s distributor, Ambrosia Brands, is voluntarily recalling potentially contaminated batches of the powder capsules, which are packaged in a 60-count white bottle with a green cap and label. They are sold through Rosabella’s website and TikTok store, as well as Ebay, Shein and other retailers.

Moringa powder is derived from the tree of the same name, which grows in warm areas around the world and whose leaves and pods contain a variety of essential nutrients, according to the National Institutes of Health. Moringa products are used to make drinks used to treat a range of ailments, including ulcers, toothaches and high blood pressure.

“Some health claims about moringa, especially those from supplement manufacturers, are not supported by a substantial amount of evidence,” says a recent article from the Cleveland Clinic. “More (and higher quality) research is needed before health care providers can say that moringa can prevent or treat any type of disease.”

According to the FDA notification, the recalled batches all begin with SKU number 1356 and end with -1 or -2 after the batch code. The affected batches (listed on the FDA website) all have expiration dates from March 2027 to November 2027.

Government agencies urge consumers to discard Moringa powder capsules immediately; clean surfaces that may have come into contact with the product; and monitor people who use the product for symptoms such as high fever, dehydration, diarrhea and vomiting.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in people with compromised immune systems, according to the FDA.