CDC and FDA probe drug‑resistant Salmonella tied to moringa capsules

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating a multistate outbreak of extensively drug‑resistant Salmonella Newport that has sickened seven people in seven states and hospitalized three, public health notices show.

Federal traceback work and interviews by FDA investigators have linked the illnesses to certain lots of Rosabella‑brand moringa powder capsules distributed nationwide by Ambrosia Brands LLC. FDA investigators interviewed three infected people; all three reported consuming the Rosabella capsules. The agency posted a recall notice dated Feb. 13, 2026 and public health pages characterizing the strain as resistant to standard treatment: "The salmonella strain associated with this outbreak is resistant to all first-line and alternative antibiotics commonly recommended for the treatment of salmonella infections."

Ambrosia Brands has agreed to a voluntary recall covering 52 lot codes of 60‑count Rosabella moringa powder capsules with expiration dates from March through November 2027. The recalled lot groups include Nos. 5020591–5020596 (exp. 03/2027); 5030246–5030251 (exp. 04/2027); 5040270–5040279 (exp. 05/2027); 5050053–5050056 (exp. 06/2027); 5060069–5060080 (exp. 07/2027); 5080084–5080086 (exp. 09/2027); 5090107–5090109 and 5090113–5090118 (exp. 10/2027); and 5100039 and 5100048 (exp. 11/2027). Consumers can find lot codes on the bottom of the bottle; the implicated code is the middle seven numbers between "1356" and "1" or "2." Packaging has been described as white plastic bottles with a green label.

Public health guidance urges people not to eat the affected capsules, to throw them away or return them to the place of purchase for a refund, and to wash any surfaces or containers that may have been contaminated if capsules spilled. Typical Salmonella symptoms include fever, diarrhea and stomach cramps; because the strain is drug resistant, health officials advise anyone with severe symptoms to tell their health care provider about potential exposure to the recalled product.

The CDC described the outbreak as "unusual and highly concerning." The agency's outbreak page at the time of posting listed the investigation as open and, in a separate field, indicated "Recall issued: No," a detail that coexists with Ambrosia's voluntary recall agreement and the FDA posting. Ambrosia's public recall statement says, "We have discontinued use and purchase of all raw moringa leaf powder from the raw material supplier of the above referenced lots."

Rosabella capsules were sold primarily online through the company's direct site, tryrosabella.com, and through Ambrosia's TikTok Shop; the product has also been available on Amazon. The company stated that no affected lots were sold through its official Amazon store, but warned that unauthorized third‑party sellers on sites such as eBay or Shein may have distributed implicated bottles. Consumers with questions can contact Ambrosia Brands at 914‑768‑1357; published customer service hours differ by source, listed as weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central time in one notice and Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time in another.

Moringa leaf powder, marketed as a nutrient‑dense "superfood" from the Moringa oleifera tree, has been linked to past supplement‑related outbreaks. CDC materials note this investigation is not related to a separate January Salmonella outbreak tied to moringa supplements. Federal officials said they continue to investigate to determine whether additional products or lots are involved.