A major nationwide recall of chia seeds has been initiated in the United States over serious contamination concerns, affecting products sold through prominent retailers including Whole Foods and Amazon. The voluntary recall, announced by Navitas Organics, targets specific lots of its eight-ounce Organic Chia Seeds due to potential salmonella contamination.
Recall Details and Affected Products
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed the recall in a report issued on Friday, noting that the action is being taken as a precautionary measure following a recall initiated by the company's chia seed supplier. The affected products can be identified by the UPC code 858847000284 and nine-digit lot codes beginning with the letter "W," which are printed on the back of the packaging.
Products with "Best if Used By" dates at the end of April or May 2027 are included in this recall. The chia seeds were distributed both in physical stores and online across the United States, with Whole Foods and Amazon confirmed as primary retail outlets.
Company Statement and Consumer Advice
Navitas Organics CEO Ira Haber emphasized the company's commitment to food safety in a statement, saying: "Navitas has provided Organic Chia Seeds to our customers for more than 20 years. Providing safe, healthy food for our customers is why we have been in business this long and it's why we are recalling this product today."
While no illnesses have been reported in connection with these chia seeds, consumers are strongly urged to either discard the affected products immediately or return them to their place of purchase for a full refund. The FDA warns that salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in vulnerable populations including young children, elderly individuals, and those with compromised immune systems.
Broader Context of Salmonella Recalls
This chia seed recall represents just one of several food safety incidents involving salmonella contamination that have emerged recently. Earlier this month, Spring & Mulberry issued a recall for its Mint Leaf Date Sweetened Chocolate Bar after routine third-party laboratory testing detected traces of salmonella. Those chocolate bars had been available for purchase online and through select retail partners since September 15, 2025.
In a more serious development, at least 45 people across nearly two dozen U.S. states have fallen ill with salmonella food poisoning linked to SuperFoods Inc.'s Live it Up-brand Super Greens powder. Illnesses connected to this supplement were reported between August 22 and December 30, 2025, with at least twelve individuals requiring hospitalization. Fortunately, no fatalities have been recorded in connection with this outbreak, according to information from both the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
These consecutive recalls highlight ongoing concerns about food safety protocols and supply chain vulnerabilities in the health food sector, prompting increased scrutiny from regulatory authorities and consumer advocacy groups.
