A nationwide recall has been issued for a popular herbal sleep and stress supplement sold across the country at Whole Foods Market stores and online through Amazon due to potential salmonella contamination, federal regulators and company officials announced.
Vitality Works Inc., an Albuquerque, New Mexico-based manufacturer, initiated the voluntary recall for a single lot of its 365 Whole Foods Market Standardized + Full Spectrum Blend Ashwagandha Capsules, according to notices posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The capsules are sold in white plastic bottles containing 120 pills.
Federal health officials stated that the potential contamination was uncovered during routine testing of an individual retail unit. As of Saturday, no illnesses or adverse health events connected to the recalled capsules had been documented, according to company and regulatory updates.
Identifying the recalled product
The recalled supplement bottles carry the universal product code UPC 9948252099 and were distributed to retailers nationwide between Nov. 24, 2025, and Oct. 20, 2026. The recall is limited to lot number 2025-26227, which can be found printed on the bottom of the container alongside an expiration date.
Reports varied slightly regarding the exact expiration date displayed on the packaging. The New York Post and Florida television station WINK News reported that affected bottles feature an expiration date of Oct. 13, 2028, while NBC 5 Chicago reported the expiration date as Nov. 13, 2028.
Consumers who purchased the capsules are urged not to consume them. Regulators advise throwing the bottles away immediately rather than bringing them back to the store. Shoppers can seek a full refund by visiting any Whole Foods Market location. Customers with questions may contact Vitality Works directly by telephone at (505) 268-9950 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mountain Time, Monday through Friday.
Understanding salmonella risks and symptoms
Salmonella is a leading contributor to foodborne disease in the United States, infecting an estimated 1.35 million people annually, according to federal health statistics cited by the New York Post. The bacterium can survive on dried herbs and root powders for extended periods before being ingested.
While many healthy adults experience mild to moderate digestive illness, the infection can become serious or life-threatening in high-risk groups, including young children, frail or elderly individuals, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems. Typical symptoms usually develop within days of exposure and include:
- Abdominal cramps and stomach pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea, which may sometimes be bloody
- Fever and dehydration
In rare and severe instances, the bacteria can escape the intestinal tract and circulate through the bloodstream, leading to severe complications such as arterial infections, arthritis, or endocarditis, WINK News reported. Dehydration resulting from fluid loss often represents the primary immediate hazard, frequently requiring intravenous fluids for recovery.
Growing string of herbal and food recalls
Ashwagandha, an herb historically rooted in Ayurvedic medicine and harvested primarily in regions across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, has gained widespread popularity in recent years as an over-the-counter remedy marketed for reducing anxiety and promoting better sleep quality.
However, the agricultural nature of botanical ingredients leaves them vulnerable to environmental bacteria during cultivation, harvesting, drying, and packaging. The ashwagandha notice adds to a sequence of salmonella-related recalls across the retail and wellness industries in recent months, following prior actions earlier this year involving super green powders, fresh produce, and eggs.
Health officials continue to monitor consumer reports for any potential illnesses connected to the distributed lot.
