Herbal Root Powder Recalled Due to Microbial Contamination

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recently began alerting consumers and healthcare professionals to a company’s voluntary recall of all lots of its organic goldenseal root powder. The recalled powder was distributed nationwide to customers who ordered it through the company’s website and from a major online retailer from January through August of this year.

According to the FDA, laboratory analysis found the product is contaminated with various bacteria, including multiple pathogens. Use of these contaminated products could cause serious infections with severe outcomes, including death, especially in vulnerable patients with compromised immune systems and infants. FDA is aware of one infant death associated with use of this product on the umbilical cord stump.

In an announcement made by the company conducting the recall, which was also posted by the FDA, laboratory testing of product samples found these products to be contaminated with various microorganisms including: Enterobacter cloacae, Cronobacter sakazakii, Cronobacter dublinensis, among others.

The scientists at MPL Laboratories are dedicated to helping companies identify microbial issues before contaminated products reach consumers. High costs are typically associated with these types of product recalls. MPL Laboratories operates an FDA and DEA registered testing facility that offers cGMP and ISO 17025 compliant microbial testing services. These services can be essential for testing raw ingredients, production processes and final products. MPL’s services are available to dietary supplement, homeopathic, over-the-counter (OTC) and other manufacturing companies. Testing is also offered to importers, distributors, retailers, regulatory agencies and healthcare providers.

To learn more about this or other supplement, cosmetic or consumer product testing services provided by MPL Laboratories, please visit www.MPLLaboratories.com, call (800) 548-1874 or email  info@MPLLaboratories.com .


About MPL Laboratories
MPL Laboratories (formerly Marypaul Laboratories) was founded in 1985 as a full service microbiology laboratory. It is ISO/IEC 17025 accredited by PJLA, FDA and DEA registered, and NJDEP certified. MPL’s staff includes M.S. and B.S. degreed microbiologists and other dedicated scientists. The microbiology testing laboratory serves the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, personal care and food industries. MPL aims to provide its clients with high quality, reliable test data in a timely manner. The laboratory is part of the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network of over 45 laboratories across the United States and Canada.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

MPL Laboratories

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail