Salmonella Finding Prompts Supplement Recalls

OMAHA, Neb.--Solgar Vitamin & Herb Co. and Natural Organics both pulled products off the shelves in early May after random sampling tests by American Laboratories Inc. found possible salmonella contamination in the raw material pepsin it supplied the companies. Pepsin is a naturally occurring digestive enzyme catalyzed from protein and found in the stomachs of animals, including hogs and calves. A spokesperson for American Laboratories, based in Omaha, Neb., stated that the company had no comment on this matter as it continued to investigate the situation.

Leonia, N.J.-based Solgar initiated a recall of its Digestive Aid 100 Tablets on April 28. Approximately 750 bottles were recalled, all of which were distributed throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Israel. Solgar re-tested its products using the same USP/AOAC microbial testing method and found them to be salmonella-free.

"American Labs has been around a long time, and we apply fairly rigorous testing to their raw materials," said Jeff Whipple, public relations manager atSolgar. He added that Solgar has along-standing relationship with the company. Solgar's recall,he added, was both precautionary and in line with FDA rules and regulations. The recalled product, which was distributed between March 30 and April 20, comes in a brown bottle with a yellowlabel with either lot number 31993 or 30957 printed above the expiration date.

Natural Organics was advised by American Laboratories inearly May to participate in the recall, and immediately tested its pepsin-containing supplements for traces of salmonella contamination, sending samples of all product batches to an independent laboratory for additional testing. "All tests came back negative," said James Gibbons, vice president of research and development at Natural Organics. Despite the negative tests,Natural Organics voluntarily recalled 9,800 bottles of Nature'sPlus brand dietary supplements containing pepsin, including Digestive Enzyme, Nature Cleanse Botanicleanse Tabs, Betaine HCL andUltra-Zyme.

Salmonella poisoning causes fever, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and can possibly cause death in infants and the elderly. Sofar, no cases of poisoning have been attributed to the Nature's Plusor Solgar products.

All the companies are online: American Laboratories, www.americanlaboratories.com; Nature's Plus,www.natplus.com; and Solgar, www.solgar.com.