RemedyTeas announced a voluntary recall of 20 lbs of Peppermint Organic Herbal Tea produced by Aromatics Inc., Basin City, WA, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis. For more information on Salmonella, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Web site at http://www.cdc.gov1 or call 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636).
The recall was as the result of a batch sample testing program by the vendor after it received a notification of possible contamination which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria. The vendor has ceased the production and distribution of the product as the FDA and the vendor continue their investigation as to the origin of the contamination. RemedyTeas has not caused the contamination of Salmonella and RemedyTeas has ceased distribution of products affected by the vendor’s recall.
The #137 Peppermint Organic Herbal Tea or #120 Tranquility Herbal Tea were distributed in the RemedyTeas retail store and through mail and internet orders. #137 Peppermint Organic Herbal Tea or #120 Tranquility Herbal Tea is sold measured to customers orders in retail stores and sold in 2 oz pre-packaged pouches by mail order or internet. There are no lot/batch identifying markings on the store or ecommerce packaging. Retail stock of #137 Peppermint Organic Herbal Tea was sold between January 18, 2011 and March 4, 2011. Retail stock of #120 Tranquility Herbal Tea was sold between February 22, 2011 and March 4, 2011. Any purchases not within those dates are not affected by this recall.
While no illness related to this voluntary recall has been reported to date, any potential health risk is significantly reduced when following the printed brewing instructions on the package or available online, i.e. using 205 F water temperature.