If you’ve loved sprinkling Vital Proteins powder into your smoothies, the vague reports popping up this week about a recall may have made you pause mid-scoop. But before you throw those canisters in the trash, you might want to continue reading to find out what’s really going on—and if your go-to tub is affected.
Here’s what we know: In April 2023, the company initiated a voluntary recall of a single-batch code of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides “out of an abundance of caution,” according to a statement a representative from Nestle Health Science (the parent company of Vital Proteins) provided to SELF. The reason? “Potential foreign material contamination” since broken pieces of lids may have accidentally gotten into the canisters, an April release from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detailed.
The product—a 24-ounce tub of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides—was only sold at a limited number of Costco stores, the Nestle representative tells SELF. The recall affects more than 50,000 canisters, which were distributed across 20 states and Puerto Rico, according to the FDA. Vital Proteins worked with Costco to alert folks who bought the product and released a statement with detailed instructions, along with an image, to help customers determine whether theirs was involved. The affected ones have a batch code of 30095993HA and a best-by date of January 9, 2028, located on the back of the tub at the bottom.
To date, there have been no reported injuries concerning this recall, according to the Nestle statement. Still, if you have the product, you should throw it away or return it to your local Costco for a full refund.
The FDA labeled this as a Class II recall, which the organization defines as a situation where exposure to the given product may cause “temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences” or where the likelihood of serious injuries is “remote.”
If you’re wondering what the big deal is with possible pieces of broken lids, contaminants like these actually can cause harm to your body if you accidentally ingest them. Injuries from physical hazards may include oral cavity damage (like trauma to your teeth or cuts in your mouth or throat), perforation of your gastrointestinal tract, or choking, according to the FDA. If you experience any of these injuries, contact your health care provider immediately.
So far, the potentially contaminated Collagen Peptides only hit shelves at Costco. No additional stores or online shops received the canisters, and no other Vital Proteins products are affected, the Nestle representative says. Even though this recall went out in April, it’s still best to double-check your pantry if you bought this brand at Costco earlier this year.
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