Recalls of Two Strange Brands Remind Us of Why FDA is Stretched Thin

Here are two items I have no particular care about...a tea from Oregon and a spice blend sold in NYC.  However, both have the potential to be pretty serious issues -the tea is being recalled for Salmonella and the spice product is recalled for potential lead - but both will have little impact on the majority of people.  However, just because most all of us are unlikely to drink the Milk Lady's Herbal Tea or use Balquis Yemeni Spice does not mean the FDA can give these suspect products a pass.

Food entrepreneurism is on the rise, but with that, there is an increased pressure on Federal and state agencies to ensure that regulations are enforced.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mountain-mels-essential-goods-llc-recalls-milk-ladys-herbal-tea-blend-peaceful-baby-herbal-tea-blend
Mountain Mel’s Essential Goods, LLC Recalls The Milk Lady’s Herbal Tea Blend, Peaceful Baby Herbal Tea Blend, and Diges-teas Herbal Tea Blend, Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: August 29, 2019
FDA Publish Date:August 29, 2019
Product Type:Food & Beverages  Coffee/Tea
Reason for Announcement: Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella
Company Name:Mountain Mel’s Essential Goods, LLC
Brand Name: The Milk Lady’s, Peaceful Baby, and Diges-Tea
Product Description: Tea


Company Announcement

Mountain Mel’s Essential Goods, LLC of Welches, OR is recalling The Milk Lady’s Tea with LOT # ML6271950, Peaceful Baby Herbal Tea with LOT # PB781950, and Diges-Teas Herbal Tea with LOT # DT7619100, because it has the 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.

The Milk Lady’s, Peaceful Baby, and Diges-Teas were distributed in Oregon and Washington through New Seasons Market, and nationwide through Azure Standard, Mountainmels.com and Amazon.com. The affected tea products were distributed by Mountain Mel’s Essential Goods June 27, 2019 and July 20, 2019.

The Milk Lady’s Herbal Tea Blend, UPC 7 99632 05658 4, is packaged in a tall thin tin container with 2 oz of tea per tin, with a purple label. The LOT# of the recalled batch is # ML6271950. The LOT# can be located on the bottom of the tin package. The Best By Date of the Milk Lady’s Tea is listed as 7/2021.

Peaceful Baby Herbal Tea Blend, UPC 7 99632 05656 0, is packaged in a tall thin tin container with 2 oz of tea per tin, with a blue label. The LOT# of the recalled batch is #PB781950. The LOT# can be located on the bottom of the tin package. The Best By Date of the Peaceful Baby Tea is listed as 7/2021.

Diges-Teas Herbal Tea Blend, UPC 7 99632 05665 2, is packaged in a tall thin tin container with 2 oz of tea per tin, with a brown label. The LOT# of the recalled batch is #DT7619100. The LOT# can be located on the bottom of the tin package. The Best By Date of the Diges-Teas Herbal Tea is listed as 7/2021.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

This recall was initiated because the herbal teas were made with the recalled fennel seed whole that was supplied and recalled by Mountain Rose Herbs in Oregon. Mountain Mel’s Essential Goods has ceased production and distribution of this product as of July 20, 2019.

This recall is being made with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Consumers who have purchased Mountain Mel’s The Milk Lady’s Tea with LOT # ML6271950, Peaceful Baby Herbal Tea with LOT # PB781950, and/or Diges-Teas Herbal Tea with LOT # DT7619100 are urged to take a photo of the product and lot label, email that to info@mountainmels.com for a full refund.

Consumers with further questions may contact Mountain Mel’s via email at info@mountainmels.com.

Makzemo LLC Recalls Balquis Yemeni Spice Because of Possible Health Risk

  

When a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, the FDA posts the company's announcement as a public service. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Read Announcement 

Summary

Company Announcement Date: August 26, 2019 

FDA Publish Date:August 29, 2019

Product Type:Food & Beverages Spices, Flavors &  Salts 

Reason for Announcement: Excessive levels of lead

Company Name:Makzemo LLC

Brand Name:  Balquis

Product Description:  Spice

  

 Company Announcement

Makzemo LLC of Brooklyn, NY is recalling Balquis Yemeni spice, because it has the potential to be contaminated with lead.

Lead is a toxic substance present in our environment in small amounts and everyone is exposed to some lead from daily actions such as inhaling dust, eating food, or drinking water.

Exposure to larger amounts of lead can cause lead poisoning. While lead can affect nearly every bodily system, its effects depend upon the amount of and duration of lead exposure and age of the person exposed.

Symptoms can include abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, weakness, behavior or mood changes, delirium, seizures, and coma. However, infants, young children and the developing fetus can be affected by chronic exposure to amounts of lead that may not result in obvious symptoms of lead poisoning. A child with lead poisoning may not look or act sick. Lead poising in children can cause: learning disabilities, developmental delays, and lower IQ scores.

Balquis Yemeni spice was distributed in Michigan and the five boroughs of New York through retail supermarkets and grocery stores.

The spice is packaged in clear plastic containers, 230 grams and 454 grams and in clear 5 lb plastic bags.

The product is yellowish/brown in color.

The brand name is Balquis.

No injuries or illness are associated with this product.

The recall was a result of the New York City Department of Health circulating a flyer about the product and visiting a few retail stores and informing them of the findings.

The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

Consumers who have purchased Balquis Yemeni spice in clear plastic containers 230 grams/454 grams or 5 lb plastic bags are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 917-444-2211 Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm EST.