The number of reported illnesses has risen to 55 in an outbreak of salmonellosis linked to chia seed-based products in both the U.S. and Canada, and product recalls have been expanding rapidly (e.g., Madegood Chia and Berries Fruit & Nut Bars, left). So far, the outbreak has been reported in 12 states and four Canadian provinces.

No deaths have been reported, but to date, five people have been hospitalized in Canada and two have been hospitalized in the U.S. Ill persons have been found to be infected with one of three outbreak strains: Salmonella Newport, Salmonella Hartford, or Salmonella Oranienburg.

For additional details, see:

• the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web page about this outbreak,
• the Public Health Agency of Canada's Web page about the outbreak,
• Food Safety Magazine's June 6 report on the outbreak.