Daily Harvest Illnesses May Be Linked to Tara Flower: Update

While the manufacturer has identified tara flower as the source of the Daily Harvest illnesses, investigators are not sure why it is making people sick.

After nearly a month of investigating the root cause of Daily Harvest illnesses and organ injuries suffered by hundreds of consumers after eating recalled French Lentil + Leek Crumbles, the manufacturer has released an update that suggests tara flour is the source of contamination in the product.

The Daily Harvest recall was first announced on June 23, impacting nearly 30,000 French Lentil + Leek Crumbles products that were linked to at least 470 reports of illnesses, including severe gastrointestinal injuries, liver damage and gallbladder injuries.

Since the recall, Daily Harvest indicates that it has been working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as top doctors, microbiologists, toxicologists and three independent labs to identify the source of contamination.

In the latest update on the Daily Harvest recall issued last week, the manufacturer stated that the source of contamination responsible for consumer injuries and illnesses is tara flour, which is a plant-based source of protein that was exclusively used in French Lentil + Leek Crumbles.

Tara flour is derived from seeds harvested from tara trees, which are native to Peru in South America. The plant-based source of protein is used in vegetarian and vegan meals and is commonly used as a thickener or stabilizer.

“We have only used this ingredient in French Lentil + Leek Crumbles and we are no longer sourcing from this producer who does not provide any ingredients for our 140+ other items,” according to a statement issued by Daily Harvest.

Over the last four weeks the manufacturer has reviewed consumer reports and medical records of individuals who have become ill and were hospitalized and each of the reported illnesses have corresponded with the consumption and timeline of the release of the new Crumbles products in Spring of this year.

The investigation with federal health officials and experts have ruled out a variety of pathogens including Listeria, E. Coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus Aureus (Staph), B. Cereus, Clostridium species, mycotoxins, aflatoxins, or major allergens, including egg, soy, milk, gluten and pesticides. .

Although Daily Harvest claims to have identified the source of contamination, the manufacturer states its investigation team will continue to work with the FDA and its tara flour producer to determine what specifically made people sick.

Daily Harvest Illness Lawsuits

Since the recall, a growing number of Daily Harvest injury lawsuits have are being filed by individuals claiming they developed severe gastrointestinal illness, liver damage and gallbladder injuries after eating recalled French Lentil + Leek Crumbles.

Subscribers to the popular vegan meal delivery service claim that the manufacturer was negligent in failing to exercise reasonable care in preparing and monitoring the safety and sanitary conditions of its products, and knew or should have known about the growing number of illnesses being reported by consumers, yet continued to market the new line of Crumbles.

In a Daily Harvest class action lawsuit filed in late June, a New York woman says she developed severe gastrointestinal illness after eating the recalled French Lentil + Leek Crumbles, which ultimately led to the need for surgical removal of her gallbladder.