It was only a matter of time – as commercial marijuana becomes a thing that we would see recalls due to bacterial contamination. We should expect to see the same in other, especially edible, marijuana products.
Multiple Arizona marijuana establishments and dispensaries are initiating a voluntary recall of specific marijuana products due to possible contamination with Salmonella or Aspergillus. See below for a table with the product, lot numbers, product names it was sold under, and the possible contaminant.
The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) is advising purchasers to dispose of the products described in the table below, which were found in laboratory tests to be positive for Salmonella or Aspergillus.
To date, no illnesses have been reported. This announcement is being made out of an abundance of caution. Patients who have purchased potentially contaminated products should not ingest, inhale, or otherwise consume them and should dispose of them. If you have already consumed any of the products and have any of the symptoms described below, please contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency care in the event of an emergency.
The ADHS laboratory auditors determined during routine inspection of an independent third-party laboratory that marijuana samples that tested positive for Salmonella were reported to dispensaries and marijuana establishments as free of contaminants. In addition, marijuana samples that tested positive for Aspergillus were reported to dispensaries and marijuana establishments as free of contaminants.
Once ADHS discovered the positive test results, the establishments involved were notified and took immediate action to work with all distribution and retail partners to remove any potentially impacted products.
Consumers with any questions may contact the establishment or dispensary they purchased any of the products on the list below.
Salmonella: Symptoms from ingesting salmonella usually start within 6 hours–6 days after infection and last 4–7 days. Ingestion can happen inadvertently after handling Salmonella-contaminated products. Symptoms include:
- Diarrhea (that can be bloody)
- Fever
- Stomach cramps
- Some people may also have nausea, vomiting, or a headache.
Aspergillus: Aspergillus can cause allergic reactions or infection, usually in people already sick with something else. Symptoms range from asthma or cold like symptoms to fever and chest pain among many others.
PRODUCTS
| Brand Name | Product Name | Batch Number | Product Type | Implicated Contaminant |
| Harvest Platinum | 14g Pre Pack Indica Flower (Glazed Apricot Gelato) | CVGH210406HB | Plant, Trim | Salmonella |
| Harvest Platinum | 14g Pre Pack Sativa Flower (Tiger Haze) | CVGH210406HM (L) | Plant, Trim | Aspergillus |
| Modern Flower | 3.5g Pre Pack Indica Flower (Orange Acai) | CVGH2104210HI | Plant, Flower – Cured, Greenhouse | Aspergillus sp. |
| Sol Flower Dispensaries and Establishments | Tahiti Lime | 0121TILM.33.WT | Plant, Flower – Cured | Aspergillus sp. |
| EHF (Elephant Head Farms) | HAT Trick #17 Flower | 030821F1H12 | Plant, Flower – Cured | Salmonella |
| Mohave Cannabis | Preroll | LAB #454 PR | Plant, Preroll, Indoor | Salmonella |
| Tru Infusion Flower | Cherry WIFI | 0326R12CUC | Plant, Flower – Cured indoor | Aspergillus sp. |
| The Pharm | Chemistry #1 (HD 3/24/21) | Chemistry #1 1 B15B.R1-10 | Plant, Flower – Cured, Greenhouse | Aspergillus sp. |