Organic peppermint teas recalled due to Salmonella contamination

Canadian Food Inspection Agency
News Release

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OTTAWA - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the Organic Peppermint Herbal Teas described below because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The affected teas have been recalled in the USA by Aromatics Inc. due to possible Salmonella contamination.

This is an ongoing food safety investigation. The CFIA is working with the United States Food and Drug Administration to identify all affected products imported into Canada from the USA. The CFIA is also working with Canadian importers to trace-back and recall all affected products that may have been distributed in Canada. As more products are identified, the CFIA will continue to update its list of recalled products.

The following Organic Peppermint Teas are affected by this alert:

The Metropolitan Tea Company Organic Peppermint Tea 0.5 kg
(1.1 lbs) 7 71541 48051 3 P102333
L110053
L102334
L102346
L102361
(Code located at top right corner of label)

The Metropolitan Tea Company Organic Peppermint Tea 1.0 kg
(2.20 lbs) 7 71541 38051 6 P102333
L110053
L102334
L102346
L102361
(Code located at top right corner of label)

The Metropolitan Tea Company Organic Peppermint Tea 8 kg
(17.64 lbs) 7 71541 68051 7 P102333
L110053
L102334
L102346
L102361
(Code located at top right corner of label)

Note- The Metropolitan Tea Company products described above purchased prior to December 25, 2010 are not affected by this alert:

Some of the organic teas identified in the table above may have been repackaged into smaller sized units with no label information. If you have purchased Organic Peppermint teas, and are unsure if you have the recalled product, check with your place of purchase to verify if it is subject to the recall.

These products have been distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, and may be distributed nationally.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause salmonellosis, a food borne illness. In young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, salmonellosis may cause serious and sometimes deadly infections. In otherwise healthy people, salmonellosis may cause short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recalls.

For more information, consumers and industry can call CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

For information on Salmonella, visit the Food Facts web page at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/cause/salmonellae.shtml

For information on all food recalls, visit the CFIA’s Food Recall Report at: http://active.inspection.gc.ca/eng/corp/recarapp_dbe.asp.

To find out more about receiving recalls by e-mail, and other food safety facts, visit: www.foodsafety.gc.ca. Food and consumer product recalls are also available at http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca.

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