Daily Harvest Meal Kits Make U.S. Influencers Promoting Them Sick

Daily Harvest, an Instagram-friendly meal kit provider, is facing a firestorm of online reaction after voluntarily recalling one of its products after a wave of customers who consumed it reported being unwell with strange symptoms, including significantly raised liver enzymes, Catherine Thorbecke and Jennifer Korn reported for CNN Business.

Photo Insert: Now, numerous influencers who claim to have been sickened say the company's sloppy handling of the situation has placed a new burden on the influencer community to alert the public.

The direct-to-consumer brand has long promoted its products through a network of online influencers. Now, numerous influencers who claim to have been sickened say the company's sloppy handling of the situation has placed a new burden on the influencer community to alert the public.

It's also revealing the quick consequences that can occur when you disagree with a demographic with such broad internet reach.

"This company was built on the backs of influencers," said Cory Silverstein, who operates an organic skincare line with his wife and told CNN Business that he received the French Lentil and Leek Crumbles as part of a PR package in mid-May.

"That is what built them up to be like a billion-dollar valuation company, is all these influencers who did the marketing for them," he added. "At this point, it's the influencers who are alerting the public that you might end up in the hospital if you eat this product."

After consuming the product, Silverstein said, "I've never experienced pain like that — it's the first time I felt kind of helpless."

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