Urgent recall issued for popular tea sold by major supermarkets
A popular herbal tea has been removed off Australian supermarket shelves over fears of chemical contamination.
Authorities said some batched of Nerada Organics Lemon & Ginger Organic Herbal Infusion Tea was found to have ethylene oxide contamination inside its tea bags.
Food Standards Australia has issued a warning to customers, saying they should not consume the tea that is widely sold in Woolworths, Coles and IGA.
Nerada Tea Pty Ltd is conducting the recall due to the product potentially causing illness or injury from anyone who consumes it.
Ethylene oxide exposure can cause local irritation of the skin, eyes, and upper respiratory tract, affect the nervous system and in extreme long-term cases has also been associated with increases in cancer rates, according to NSW Health.
“Consumers should not consume this product and should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund,” Food Standards Australia said on Monday.
The product was sold in Woolworths in NSW, the ACT and Queensland.
Coles customers in NSW, ACT and Victoria have also been warned.
It was also on shelves in IGA in NSW, ACT, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and WA.
The recall relates to any products with Best Before dates showing from 08/01/23 up to and including 22/01/23.