Something you bought was just recalled. What does that mean?
What happens when something you purchase is recalled? Is it voluntary or mandatory? And what does it mean for you?
A supplement powder was recalled after 45 people in 21 states were made sick by the same strain of salmonella, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Certain Live It Up Super Greens supplement powders with expiration dates from August 2026 and January 2028 were linked to the salmonella outbreak and have since been recalled. Additional products may be identified as the Food and Drug Administration continues its investigation, according to a statement posted on the FDA website Wednesday, Jan. 14.
Of the 45 illnesses, 12 resulted in hospitalizations, according to the FDA. No deaths linked to the recall have been reported.
The recalled product, which was primarily sold online and distributed nationwide, should not be eaten, sold or served by consumers and retailers, the CDC said.
Here’s what to know about the outbreak and recalled product.
What ‘super greens’ supplement was recalled?
The recalled products include certain lots and batches of the Original and Wild Berry flavored Live it Up Super Greens supplement powders that have expiration dates from August 2026 to January 2028. According to the FDA, consumers should check for the following:
Live it Up Super Greens, NET WT 8.5 oz (240g) with UPC 860013190804.Live it Up Super Greens, 30 – 0.28oz (8g) sticks, NET WT. 8.47 oz (240g) with UPC 850077468063Live it Up Super Greens, Wild Berry, NET WT 8.5OZ (240g), with UPC 860013190811Live it Up Super Greens, Wild Berry, 30 – 0.32oz (9g) Sticks, NET WT. 9.52oz (270g), with UPC 850077468070
The recalled products are packaged in green pouches. The lot code is printed on the bottom back of the packaging in black and begins with the letter “A” or the number “3” for a stick pack product, the FDA said.
Where were the products sold?
The products were sold nationwide, primarily online, on Live it Up’s website and on Amazon.
What should you do if you purchased the recalled product?
The FDA suggests that people who purchased or were given the recalled Live it Up-brand Super Greens dietary supplement powders discard the product or return it to the place of purchase.
When contacted by USA TODAY, Live it Up directed USA TODAY to the FDA announcement of the recall and to an online form where impacted customers can request a refund.
The FDA also recommends cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces that came into contact with the product to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
Anyone who believes they have developed symptoms of a salmonella infection after consuming the recalled product should contact a health care provider.
Where have illnesses been reported?
The 45 people sickened in the salmonella outbreak lived in the following states, according to the CDC, with the majority of cases reported in Wisconsin (11 people sickened).
AlabamaConnecticutDelawareIllinoisIowaKentuckyMaineMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMissouriNebraskaNew YorkOhioPennsylvaniaSouth CarolinaTennesseeUtahVermontWashingtonWisconsinWhat are the symptoms of a salmonella infection?
Most people infected with salmonella will experience stomach cramps, fever and diarrhea, according to the CDC. Symptoms can begin to show from six hours to six days after ingesting the bacteria.
Most people will recover after four to seven days of infection without any treatment. However, people younger than 5 and older than 65, and those with weakened immune systems, may experience more severe symptoms and require treatment or hospitalization.
People experiencing the following severe symptoms of a salmonella infection should contact a health care provider immediately, according to the CDC:
Diarrhea for more than three daysFever higher than 102°FBloody diarrheaExcessive vomiting and the inability to keep liquids downShowing signs of dehydration, like urinating less, dry mouth and throat and feeling dizzy while standing up.
This story was updated with new information.
Julia is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers scientific studies, natural disasters and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.
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