More people hospitalized by trendy supplements that have been recalled over contamination with deadly bacteria
The number of people sickened by a trendy supplement has climbed to nearly 100, including more than two dozen people hospitalized.
The CDC on Tuesday issued an update to January recalls of Why Not Natural Pure Organic Moringa Green Superfood capsules and Live it Up Super Greens supplement powders.
There are now 97 cases and 26 hospitalizations in 32 states linked to potential moringa powder contamination.
The initial recall was issued on January 28 for Why Not Natural products and on January 16 for Superfoods products due to possible contamination with the potentially deadly bacteria, salmonella.
The recalled products were sold to consumers nationwide, as well as in Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands. The supplements were sold on each company’s respective websites and other online retailers, including Amazon.
Superfoods products have also been sold to people in the United Kingdom. Additionally, there may have been “unauthorized third party distribution” through websites such as ebay.com and Walmart.com.
Sales of Superfoods products took place between September 2024 and January 2026. For Why Not Natural, sales took place between July 2025 and January 2026.
Although these products should no longer be available for sale, their long shelf life means people can still have them in their homes. Customers who purchased any of the recalled products are asked to stop using them immediately and can return them to the place of purchase.
The original recalls were issued in January for several brands of moringa powder supplements (stock image)
The Superfoods recall includes the following four products: Live it Up Super Greens, NET WT 8.5oz (240g) with UPC 860013190804; Live it Up Super Greens, 30 x 0.28 oz (8 g) Sticks, NET WT. 8.47 oz (240 g) with UPC 850077468063; Live it Up Super Greens, Wild Berry, NET WT 9.49 oz (269.16 g), with UPC 860013190811; and Live it Up Super Greens, Wild Berry, 30 x 0.32 oz (9 g) sticks, WT NET. 9.52 oz (270 g), with UPC 850077468070.
The Why Not Natural recall applies to bottles of 120 capsules with lot number A25G051 and an expiration date of July 2028.
The illnesses linked to these recalls began in August 2025, the most recent dating from February 27, 2026.
Although 97 people have been sickened by the outbreak, the CDC said the true number is likely much higher and more widespread because many people recover from salmonella without medical care or testing.
The patients range in age from two to 81 years old. Of the 67 people surveyed, 59 said they had consumed a product containing moringa leaf powder, including 55 having consumed Live it Up Super Greens and three having consumed Why Not Natural capsules.
One person consumed both products.
The FDA detected an outbreak strain of salmonella in two samples of moringa leaf powder ingredients and another outbreak strain in an opened sample of Why Not Natural Pure Organic Moringa Green Superfood capsules.
The Illinois Department of Public Health and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services each detected the outbreak strain in open samples of Live it Up Super Greens.
Five people became ill in Illinois and 12 in Wisconsin.
The Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health detected the outbreak strain in an unopened Live it Up brand Super Greens product sample.
Seven people have fallen ill in Minnesota.
Searches by the FDA revealed a common manufacturer for both brands, the CDC reported, indicating that this could be the source of the bacterial contamination, but the investigation is ongoing.
The Why Not Natural recall applies to bottles of 120 capsules with lot number A25G051 and an expiration date of July 2028.
The superfood recall applies to four different products, including original and wild berry flavors.
Salmonella usually causes mild to moderate symptoms but can potentially cause life-threatening illness in children, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised.
Healthy patients usually develop symptoms within 12 to 72 hours after an infection, including diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
In healthy adults, the infection lasts four to seven days before clearing up.
However, in severe cases, the bacteria can spread to the bloodstream and cause a life-threatening complication, as well as aneurysms and endocarditis, a fatal swelling of the inner lining of the heart.
Children under five years old, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are at particular risk of serious infections and complications.
Moringa powder is made from the crushed leaves of the moringa tree, a plant native to India that has once been described as the “miracle tree” for its purported health benefits.
The Cleveland Clinic says its green powder is rich in nutrients and may support healthy bones, vision and weight management.
The powder first became popular in the 2010s, with many people mixing it with other foods or drinks.
