WishGarden Herbs, Inc. has recently recalled two products because they were found to be made with ingredients which are potentially contaminated with Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria, which thrive in very dry places.
The company has pulled 14 lots of Cord Care and Goldenseal Powder products which were produced after July 26, 2018 and bore expiration dates between July 26, 2018 and September 1, 2020.
The WishGarden-written, FDA posted recall notice said that due to a “supply chain issue”, the products were manufactured with ingredients potentially contaminated with the bacteria.
The same issue of contamination was the root of worries for Zantac, a heartburn medication. Only in this case, it was contaminated with dangerous levels of NDMA, a cancer-causing agent.
People who regularly used the medication to treat acid reflux and gastric issues are now filing Zantac lawsuits after they were exposed to a serious risk of cancer.
And although the contaminated batches were recalled by some American health agencies, it might be too late already for those people who took the medication over the course of several years.
Can we say the same for these herbal products which were recently recalled? Continue reading the article to find out more about these contaminated products and how they can pose dangerous consequences to patients.
What Happens To Someone Who Might Use The Products?
Cord Care Powder is used to dry umbilical cords and is rubbed on the skin. It is packaged in 1-oz. containers and labeled with UPC 6-56490-24730-4. The impacted lots are P227-P235.
On the other hand, Goldenseal Powder is marketed as a drying powder that is also rubbed on the skin. It is packaged in 1-oz. containers as well and labeled with UPC 6-56490-64137-9. The affected lots are P116-P120.
Catherine Hunziker, WishGarden president, said, “As a leading herbal product company for more than 40 years, we take the safety of our products seriously and we feel it is important to recall this product out of an abundance of caution. Consumer safety is our highest priority.”
Use of products contaminated with bacteria may lead to deadly infections or other severe outcomes, including death, especially when used on an infant’s umbilical cord stump, or by other vulnerable patients.
Steps You Could Take
Back in August 2020, a separate recall was issued for Organic Goldenseal Root Powder after a baby died due to an infection following the use of the bacteria-contaminated powder on the baby’s umbilical cord stump.
A number of tests conducted by the FDA found several types of bacteria in the recalled Organic Goldenseal Root Powder, including Cronobacter sakazakii, Enterobacter cloacae, Cronobacter dublinensis, and many more.
If you are in possession of the recently recalled powders, the company advises that you do not use it or stop if you have already started.
You can get a full refund by mailing it to WishGarden Herbs, 321 S. Taylor Ave. Suite 100 Louisville, CO 80027.
On the other hand, if you have questions about this recall, they should be directed to the company through a call at 720-889-9878, Monday through Friday, 11 A.M. to 7 P.M., Eastern time or you can also email recall@wishgardenherbs.com.
If you have suffered from medical problems or any adverse effects related to the use of this product, you should contact your healthcare provider first.
Then, report the problem to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program through the agency’s website.
