Around 75% of U.S. adults—nearly 200 million people—took dietary supplements at some point in 2023, according to a survey conducted by the Council for Responsible Nutrition. If you’re one of those individuals who pop a few pills every morning, perhaps for joint or bone health, you might want to pause and take a closer look at your bottles.
Why? Because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a recall for 1,483 bottles of Optimal Carnivore LLC’s Bone & Joint Restore supplements. This product, marketed to strengthen and soothe your bones and joints, is facing serious scrutiny. Its appeal lies in its claim to be packed with nutrient-dense ingredients like whole bone extract and bovine tracheal cartilage, all aimed at promoting healing, recovery, and immune support. Functions like inflammation relief and maintaining strong connective tissue are often highlighted in promotional materials.
However, there’s a big caveat: the FDA’s investigation revealed potential contamination with Salmonella. This means that what may have been a routine addition to your supplement regimen could pose a serious health risk. The FDA’s recall cited that initial production tests showed no Salmonella, but later routine tests conducted by a third-party lab found the bacteria present. This illustrates the unpredictable nature of product testing, where initial results can be misleading.
Salmonella infections, as explained by the Cleveland Clinic, can lead to unpleasant symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. The bacteria are commonly linked to undercooked meat, raw eggs, and contaminated water, so if someone were to ingest this tainted supplement, the consequences could be more severe, especially for vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and anyone with a weakened immune system.
Despite this alarming news, Optimal Carnivore claims they haven’t received any reports of illnesses linked to their product, which is somewhat hard to swallow when you consider that over 1 million Americans experience Salmonella infections each year, leading to 26,500 hospitalizations. The FDA has labeled this recall as Class I, which indicates a reasonable probability that exposure to the tainted product could result in serious health complications or even death.
For your own safety, it’s crucial to check if your Bone & Joint Restore supplements are affected. If you have a bottle from the recalled lot (Lot #: 1224064 and expiration date 12/2026), you should reach out to the company at admin [at] optimalcarnivore.com. They do provide some guidance on their website regarding the situation, urging customers to be proactive.
At present, those specific supplements appear to be unavailable on both the company’s website and Amazon. Interested customers may want to steer clear until more information clears up about not just this recall, but how the company intends to prevent future incidents.
Overall, while dietary supplements can indeed add benefits to our health, it’s imperative to stay informed and cautious. With so many people relying on these products for daily wellness, it’s essential to be vigilant about what you’re putting in your body. Always read product labels carefully, and should any red flags arise, don’t hesitate to take action. Your health is ultimately what matters most.
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