Include the products Gotu Kola (Centella Asiatica), Bladderwrack (Fucus Vesiculosus)
AUDIENCE: Consumer
ISSUE: Eclectic Institute is voluntarily recalling specific lots of its freeze-dried capsules containing Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) and Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) capsules because of potential Salmonella contamination.
Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, Salmonella infection can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
BACKGROUND: Eclectic Institute sold these products to retailers, individuals, and health practitioners throughout the United States. The affected lots of Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) products were sold from September 14, 2011 to December 14, 2011. The affected lots of Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) products were sold from July 14, 2011 to December 14, 2011. See the Press Release for affected lot numbers.
RECOMMENDATION: Consumers in possession of any of these voluntarily recalled products are urged to return the product to Eclectic Institute’s headquarters in Sandy, Oregon, for a full refund.
Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:
- Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
- Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178
[12/20/2011 – Press Release – Eclectic Institute]
