Hoijicha Tea Recalled Due to Salmonella in Ingredient

Frontier Natural Product Co-op based in and a self proclaimed 'major supplier in the booming natural products industry', is recalling Organic Hojicha Tea due to potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The recall indicates the recall was initiated after an ingredient tested positive for Salmonella. (While it seems the supplier did the testing, it is hard to determine from how the notice was written.)..

So what is Hojicha tea? Good question.  Well, Hojicha tea is a roasted tea that is more mild and has less caffeine. The roasting process makes the tea leaves reddish in color and gives the tea a ' a toasty, slightly caramel-like flavor'. Because of the lower caffeine level, it is often served with dinner.

So how would Salmonella get in the Hojicha?  Another good question.  If the tea supplier was responsible, and being the leaves were roasted, it would have to be a case of cross contamination in the post-roasting environment.


FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm500342.htm

Frontier Co-op Initiates Voluntary Recall of Organic Hojicha Tea Due to Possible Health Risk

For Immediate Release
May 10, 2016

Contact
ConsumersFrontier Co-op 1-800-669-3275 MediaAnne Rierson anne.rierson@frontiercoop.com
(319) 227-7996 ext.1163

Announcement
View Product Photos


NORWAY, IOWA (May 10, 2016) – Frontier Co-op is voluntarily recalling its Organic Hojicha Tea due to potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, 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.

To date, no illnesses have been associated with these products.

The recalled products were sold nationwide between the dates of December 13, 2014 – April 21, 2016. A list of affected product lots is listed below. On foil bulk packages, the four-digit lot code will follow the item number (#2920) on the front label directly above the UPC code.

BrandItem NumberAffected LotsUPCSizeImage
Frontier Co-op 2920 4338
5096
5191
5289
6042 0-89836-02920-1 1 lb. (16 oz) PDF


The raw material received by Frontier Co-op, which tested positive for Salmonella is being recalled by our supplier. Given that Salmonella may be present, Frontier Co-op is immediately initiating this recall.

Consumers should not consume these products and should either throw away any remaining products or return to the point of purchase for a refund.

Please contact Frontier Co-op with any questions or to inquire about replacement or reimbursement at 1-800-669-3275 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central time.