Pharmacists who encounter patients with severe gastrointestinal complains may want to stay abreast of ongoing issues with the meal delivery service.
Vegan meal delivery service Daily Harvest has recalled its French Lentil and Leek Crumbles following widespread complaints of illnesses and hospitalizations among customers.
Reports have flooded social media recounting symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and liver damage after consumption; one social media user described symptoms that included “extreme fatigue, dark urine, low-grade fever, and whole-body itching with no rash.”1
According to a statement posted on the company’s Instagram account,2 Daily Harvest has launched an investigation and as “working closely with the FDA and with multiple independent labs,” as well as microbiologists, toxin and pathogen experts, and allergists, to determine the root cause of the issue.
A range of gastrointestinal emergencies have been reported, including “extreme liver pain”3 and gallbladder issues.4 A post shared on Reddit5 on June 15 now has over 800 responses, many from customers detailing their own experiences, which included emergency room visits, endoscopies, CT scans, referrals to gastrointestinal specialists, and gallbladder removal surgery.
In late 2021, the FDA announced a plan to address potential food safety risks associated with meal delivery services.6 The agency is currently reviewing information and data collected through public comments to determine the key regulatory issues at hand.7
References
Vitamin D Deficiency May Increase Gastrointestinal Bleeding Risk in Patients on Blood Thinners
May 22nd 2024Study findings can raise awareness for both patients and health care providers about vitamin D deficiency as a potential contributor to bleeding risk, as well as lead to more personalized treatment approaches for patients on blood thinners.