Daily Harvest announced on Tuesday, July 19, that it has identified tara flour as the ingredient causing hundreds of its customers to become sick, with some even reporting liver dysfunction and having their gallbladder removed after eating a lentil-based product from the popular vegan food company.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed last week that 96 hospitalizations and 277 cases of illness were reported around the United States connected to Daily Harvest's "French Lentil & Leek Crumbles" as of July 14. The federal agency has been investigating complaints of abnormal liver function and gastrointestinal illness related to the Daily Harvest frozen product, according to Reuters.
Daily Harvest issued a statement on its website on Tuesday afternoon that, at this time, they have identified tara flour as the cause of the issue. Daily Harvest said that they have only used this ingredient in French Lentil + Leek Crumbles, and they are no longer sourcing from this producer who does not provide any ingredients for their 140+ other items. Tara flour comes from the seed of the tara tree.
First and only time Daily Harvest used tara flour
Daily Harvest added that this was the first and only time they have used tara flour, which has been available and used in the North American market as a plant-based source of protein before their use. The vegan brand said that their investigation team would continue working with the FDA, the tara flour producer, and others to help determine what specifically made the people sick.
Daily Harvest initiated a voluntary recall last month of the French Lentil + Leek Crumbles product after customers complained of becoming sick, according to CNN. Some people reported having their gallbladders removed, elevated liver enzymes, and hospitalizations.
Daily Harvest also faces several lawsuits from customers who say they became sick after consuming the product. Two of the lawsuits were filed against the company and the product's manufacturer on behalf of two kids, including a 4-month-old baby who was being breastfed.
Lawyers not surprised by Daily Harvest's tara flour announcement
Bill Marler, an attorney representing the families, told NBC News he was not surprised by the company's announcement. He said he told Daily Harvest's lawyer that tara flour was the likely culprit in making customers sick, given that the lentil dish was the only item that contained it.
According to Marler, he has more than 250 clients in connection with the company's complaints with potential claims against Daily Harvest. Marler said that still unknown is what in the tara flour is causing people to become sick.
He said neither the FDA, Daily Harvest, nor his laboratory had confirmed yet whether the tara flour contains a chemical or a toxin, for instance, that is making people ill. The company previously said its testing had ruled out major allergens, pesticides, common food-borne pathogens, norovirus, Hepatitis A, and a range of mycotoxins, including aflatoxins.
