Urgent nationwide recall for popular supplement that carries ‘reasonable possibility of DEATH’
A popular supplement has been recalled over fears it could be contaminated with killer bacteria.
Wellness company Optimal Carnivore, LLC has voluntarily recalled nearly 1,500 bottles of its Bone & Joint Restore supplements due to possible salmonella contamination.
The supplements were distributed nationally via online retailers like Amazon and sold in 180-capsule bottles.
The recall was issued last month, and the FDA gave it a ‘Class I’ designation Monday, the agency’s most dangerous classification.
This means ‘there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.’
No illnesses have been reported, but salmonella can cause serious and fatal reactions like dehydration and infections in vulnerable populations like children and the elderly.
In healthy adults, it can cause a fever, bloody diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Recalled products have an expiration date of December 2026 and the lot number 1224064.
Bone health supplements from Optimal Carnivore, LLC were recalled due to potentially being contaminatedn with salmonella bacteria (stock image)
It’s unclear exactly how the supplements were contaminated, though it’s possible the raw animal ingredients used to make them were exposed to feces.
Raw animal products are also susceptible to bacterial growth if they are kept at room temperature. The supplements are meant to be shelf stable, according to the FDA.
The above image shows the recalled supplements. They contain cartilage, bones and bone marrow from cows. Raw animal products run the risk of being contaminated with feces, where salmonella can be found
The supplements contain cartilage, bones and bone marrow from cows, according to the nutrition label. Each bottle of 180 capsules sells for about $67 on online retailers.
It’s unclear when the supplements were sold or exactly where they were shipped or all online retailers they were sold from.
Salmonella infects 1.3million Americans every year, hospitalizes 26,000 and kills about 500.
Symptoms set in between six hours and six days after initial exposure.
Most people recover on their own, but the bacteria can cause severe dehydration from diarrhea or travel to the bloodstream, causing deadly infections.
Customers who may have bought contaminated products have been notified via email.
Optimal Carnivore has not issued guidance for disposing of affected products.
Consumers and healthcare providers can report adverse reactions to the FDA’s MedWatch Voluntary Reporting Program.
