Recall notice: Great Value chia seeds sold through Walmart possibly contaminated with salmonella

C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
·2 min read

Chia seeds are usually good for you, but if you bought yours at Walmart recently, check the label.

Natural Sourcing International is voluntarily recalling a lot of Great Value Organic Black Chia Seeds because the finished products may have been exposed to salmonella, according to a release from the Food & Drug Administration Monday.

Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause serious, 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," the FDA notice said.

The 32 ounce package of seeds was distributed to Walmart locations nationwide, the FDA said. No illnesses have been reported to date but the products are being recalled out of an abundance of caution.

This recall comes days after Palmer Candy issued a recall for a wide range of candies and snacks sold in Walmart, Target, and Dollar General locations.

Natural Sourcing International packages and distributes the seeds under Walmart's Great Value brand.

Which chia seeds are being recalled?

A lot of Great Value Organic Black Chia Seeds is being recalled due to possible Salmonella contamination, the FDA said Monday, May 13, 2024.
A lot of Great Value Organic Black Chia Seeds is being recalled due to possible Salmonella contamination, the FDA said Monday, May 13, 2024.

  • Great Value Organic Black Chia Seeds, 32 oz, Lot Code 24095 C018, with an expiration date of Oct. 30, 2026 and a UPC of 078742300665. The lot number is printed on the bottom of the back panel of the packaging.

Customers should throw away any they have. Natural Sourcing International is offering replacements, you can contact them at 1-818-405-9705 Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST or email the company at customerservice@organically-simple.com.

A lot of Great Value Organic Black Chia Seeds is being recalled due to possible Salmonella contamination, the FDA said Monday, May 13, 2024.
A lot of Great Value Organic Black Chia Seeds is being recalled due to possible Salmonella contamination, the FDA said Monday, May 13, 2024.

What is salmonella? What are the symptoms?

"Salmonella are bacteria that make people sick," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says on its fact page.

Salmonella can make people ill with diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, which can last from four days up to a week. Symptoms usually begin six hours to six days after infection, the CDC said. Most cases of salmonella infections pass, but some people may need to be hospitalized.

Salmonella bacteria cause "about 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States every year," the CDC said. "Food is the source for most of these illnesses."

Symptoms may also include nausea, vomiting, or a headache. Call a doctor if you have:

  • Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F.

  • Diarrhea for more than three days that is not improving.

  • Bloody stools.

  • Prolonged vomiting that prevents you from keeping liquids down.

  • Signs of dehydration, such as making very little urine, dry mouth and throat and/or dizziness when standing up.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Chia seeds from Walmart recalled for possible salmonella contamination