Is another mystery food poisoning outbreak brewing?

According to several news reports and social media posts, a popular meal delivery service has recalled a lentil-based food product after days of customers posting online about gastrointestinal issues they faced after they ate the French Lentil + Leek Crumbles meal. 

Daily Harvest posted a recall statement on its website Sunday. NBC News viewed an email it sent Friday asking a customer to throw away the lentils “out of an abundance of caution” and offering a $10 credit for every bag of the product that was purchased. 

“A small number of customers have reported gastrointestinal discomfort after consuming our French Lentil + Leek Crumbles,” the email said. “As included in our cooking instructions, lentils must be thoroughly cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.”

In its recall statement, Daily Harvest wrote that it “launched an investigation with internal and external experts throughout our supply chain and in accordance with regulatory procedures.” 

The above has not made it to the FDA’s Outbreak Investigation page, nor the private reporting site www.iwaspoisoned.com – yet. As of this morning it is unclear what might be causing the illnesses reported on social media possibly linked to Daily Harvest. At this time it is unclear if a solid pathogen link will be found, or if like the below, they remain a mystery.

Starting in late 2021 Lucky Charms food poisoning reports started to trend on iwaspoisoned.com. Now there are reports of over 7,300 sick. and the FDA has initiated an investigation.  We recommend anyone who fell ill after eating Lucky Charms, to report it, and to keep left over product for testing. We will communicate procedures for testing to everyone  who reports their case.  See link.

Food poisoning reports for Cheerios breakfast cereal started to trend in Q1 2022. Iwaspoisoned.com now has reports of over 360 persons reported sick citing Cheerios. If you got sick after eating Cheerios. We recommend consumers report it, and keep leftover product for testing. We will communicate procedures for testing to everyone who reports their case. See link.

Republished with permission from Bill Marler and Marler Clark. Copyright (c) Marler Clark LLP, PS. All rights reserved.