Probiotic Formula Recalled for Potential Salmonella Contamination

A California-based company is recalling its powdered dietary supplement because it contains an ingredient that may be contaminated with Salmonella. This recall appears to be linked to previous recalls of other dietary supplements that contain the same potentially contaminated ingredient.  Eco Health, Inc. of Chatsworth, CA issued a voluntary recall of its prebiotic formula this week after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration informed the company that Salmonella had been found in an ingredient used to make the product.  According to the recall notice, the problem was identified by FDA “because the contract manufacturer notified the FDA of a similar problem with the Ingredion label.”  Ingredion recalled nearly 40,000 pounds of the dietary supplement ingredient Galacto Oligosaccharide — made in a plant in South Korea — beginning in May of 2012 after testing revealed the presence of Salmonella in the substance, according to the Chicago Tribune. GO is an undigestible fiber made from milk that is included in dietary supplements as a purported digestive aid.  The Ingredion recall prompted a number of subsequent market withdrawals of products made with the ingredient, among them a recall of Wellesse’s digestive health drinks manufactured by a Ferndale, WA company in June.  The formula subject to this latest recall is sold under the brand name florAlign and includes the following products:  – 60 units of 90 gram PREBIOTIC FORMULA (powder),  – 40 units of 180 gram PREBIOTIC FORMULA (powder) and  – 174 units of 270 gram PREBIOTIC FORMULA (powder)  All of these items are sold in a white plastic container with a screw-on top and a scooper inside. Products are marked with Eco-Health’s address: 25876 The Old Road #158, Newhall, CA 91321.  The berry flavored, powder supplements were distributed between June of 2011 August 2012.  Customers who purchased the recalled product should return it to its point of purchase for a full refund. Those with questions can contact the company at 1-661-208-3446 Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. PST.