Whole Foods Ashwagandha Recall (Salmonella): Lot & What to Do

Quick Answer: The recall covers one lot of 365 Whole Foods Market Standardized + Full Spectrum Blend Ashwagandha Capsules, 120 count: lot 2025-26227, expiration 10/13/2028, UPC 9948252099, printed on the bottom of the bottle. It was sold at Whole Foods stores nationwide and on Amazon from November 24, 2025 to October 20, 2026. If yours matches, don’t take it, throw it away and get a refund at any Whole Foods (no need to bring the bottle back). No illnesses had been reported as of October 30, 2026; the contamination was found by routine testing of one retail unit. If you took capsules from this lot and develop fever, diarrhea, vomiting or stomach cramps, call your doctor.

Recall Details at a Glance

Detail	What the FDA notice says
Product	365 Whole Foods Market Standardized + Full Spectrum Blend Ashwagandha Capsules, 120 count, white plastic bottle
Lot number	2025-26227 (bottom of bottle)
Expiration date	10/13/2028 (bottom of bottle)
UPC	9948252099
Reason	Potential Salmonella contamination
How it was found	Routine sampling of a single retail unit
Sold	Whole Foods Market stores nationwide and Amazon.com, November 24, 2025 to October 20, 2026
Illnesses reported	None to date (as of October 30, 2026)
Remedy	Discard; refund at any Whole Foods Market store
Company	Vitality Works Inc., Albuquerque, New Mexico; (505) 268-9950, Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m. MT

How to Check Your Bottle

Confirm the label reads 365 Whole Foods Market Standardized + Full Spectrum Blend Ashwagandha, 120 capsules. Other 365 supplements and other ashwagandha brands are not included.
Turn the bottle over. Look for lot 2025-26227 and EXP 10/13/2028. Both must match.
Bought it on Amazon? Check your order history for purchases between late November 2025 and October 20, 2026, then check the bottle itself.
If it matches, stop taking it, seal it in a bag and throw it away, and wash your hands and any pill organizer it touched.
Ask for a refund at the customer service desk of any Whole Foods Market store.

Salmonella Symptoms and Who Is Most at Risk

According to the recall notice, Salmonella can cause fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, and in rare cases it can reach the bloodstream and cause more serious infections, such as infected arteries, endocarditis or arthritis. The CDC says symptoms usually begin 6 hours to 6 days after infection and last 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without antibiotics.

Serious illness is more likely in children under 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems, including those on chemotherapy or immune-suppressing drugs. Ashwagandha is not generally recommended during pregnancy, but if you are pregnant and took this product, mention it to your OB, since Salmonella infection in pregnancy deserves prompt attention.

How Does Salmonella Get Into a Supplement?

Ashwagandha capsules are made from dried, powdered root (and in “full spectrum blend” products, often root extract plus root powder). Dried plant powders are not cooked before you swallow them, so bacteria picked up during growing, drying or processing can survive unless the ingredient is treated and tested. Botanical powders, spices and herbal supplements have all been the subject of Salmonella recalls in the past. The FDA notice doesn’t say where in the supply chain this lot was contaminated.

It also matters that, under U.S. law, the FDA does not approve dietary supplements for safety or effectiveness before they are sold. Manufacturers are responsible for following current good manufacturing practices, including testing for contaminants. Recalls like this one are often triggered by sampling after products are already on shelves.

What This Means If You Still Want to Take Ashwagandha

This recall is about contamination of one lot, not about ashwagandha itself. If you and your clinician have decided ashwagandha makes sense for you, a few steps lower the risk of buying a problem product:

Look for third-party certification. Seals such as USP Verified or NSF Certified mean an independent lab checked that the product contains what the label says and is screened for contaminants, including microbes.
Prefer a named, standardized extract. Branded extracts such as KSM-66, Sensoril and Shoden have their own published human trials and specifications; see our KSM-66 vs Sensoril vs Shoden comparison.
Keep the bottle and receipt until you finish it, so you can match a lot number if a recall happens.
Sign up for alerts. The FDA posts company recall notices on its Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts page.

Separately from this recall, ashwagandha has its own safety considerations: the NIH’s LiverTox database describes rare cases of liver injury linked to ashwagandha products, and it may interact with thyroid, sedative, immune-suppressing and diabetes medicines. Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before starting it, especially if you take prescription drugs.

Who Should Do What

You have lot 2025-26227 and feel fine: stop taking it, discard it and get a refund. No testing is needed if you have no symptoms.
You took it and now have diarrhea, fever or vomiting: call your doctor and mention the recall. Drink fluids. Seek urgent care for bloody diarrhea, a fever over 102°F, signs of dehydration or symptoms lasting more than a few days.
You have a different lot or brand: this recall doesn’t affect you.
You think a supplement made you sick: report it to the FDA through MedWatch (safety reporting portal) and tell your doctor.

When to Call a Doctor

Call your doctor if you took capsules from the recalled lot and develop diarrhea, fever, vomiting or abdominal cramps, and get care right away for bloody diarrhea, a high fever, inability to keep fluids down, very little urine, dizziness, or symptoms in an infant, older adult, pregnant person or someone with a weakened immune system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Whole Foods ashwagandha is recalled?

One lot of 365 Whole Foods Market Standardized + Full Spectrum Blend Ashwagandha Capsules, 120 count: lot number 2025-26227, expiration date 10/13/2028, UPC 9948252099. The lot and date are printed on the bottom of the bottle.

Why was the ashwagandha recalled?

Vitality Works Inc. said the lot may be contaminated with Salmonella. The problem was found through routine sampling of a single retail unit. No illnesses had been reported as of October 30, 2026.

What should I do if I have the recalled bottle?

Don’t take it. Throw it away; you don’t need to return it. Refunds are available at any Whole Foods Market store. Questions can go to Vitality Works at (505) 268-9950, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Time.

Where was the recalled ashwagandha sold?

At Whole Foods Market stores nationwide and on Amazon.com, from November 24, 2025 through October 20, 2026. The company first listed specific states, then updated the notice on October 30 to say distribution was nationwide.

What are the symptoms of Salmonella?

Fever, diarrhea that may be bloody, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain, usually starting 6 hours to 6 days after exposure per the CDC. Young children, older adults, pregnant people and anyone with a weakened immune system are at higher risk of serious illness.

Are other ashwagandha brands affected?

The FDA notice covers only this one lot of the 365 Whole Foods Market product. Other lots of the same product and other brands are not part of this recall.

Sources

Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any supplement, medication, or treatment — particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking other medications, or have a diagnosed medical condition.