March 10, 2025, was the date when the FDA announced the recall of several Zaarah Herbals products that were distributed by New York Wholesale Group LLC, immediately in conjunction with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) and Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES). The Zaarah Herbals products recalled include Rasayan Churan, Gurmar Powder, Vasaka Powder, and Bhringraj Powder. These products have been a staple of Ayurvedic and natural wellness practices, marketed as herbal supplements to promote health benefits. [1]
The recall was initiated after it was found through random testing that many batches contained dangerously high levels of lead and arsenic, heavy metals which are considered toxic contaminants by the FDA and other worldwide agencies. Ingestion over time, even in small quantities, of these toxins can accumulate in human tissues, leading to severe health consequences, including kidney failure, impaired neurological functions, reproductive difficulties, and cancer. [2]
The contamination was likely caused by two main reasons:
| Product Description | Batch No. | Mfd. Date | UPC |
| Bhringraj Powder | BJ 04 | July 2022 | 635028 999731 |
| Gurmar Powder | GD 04 | July 2022 | 635028 999694 |
| Vasaka Powder | VK 04 | July 2022 | 635028 999670 |
| Rasayan Churan | RY 04 | July 2022 | 635028 999663 |
All these codes shall be found on the panel in the back of all bottles. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) [1]
The permissible levels of lead and arsenic in dietary supplements established by the FDA were 10 ppm for lead and 3 ppm for arsenic. Testing did reflect levels between 35 ppm for lead and 9 ppm for arsenic in some batches, far exceeding safety standards permitted by the federal jurisdiction.
Such concentrations are regarded as acutely toxic to:
Heavy metals usually show toxicity signs in the course of time, and some symptoms are:
According to the FDA’s classification of the Zaarah Herbals products as adulterated under Section 402(a)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), the products are prohibited from being sold where harmful or deleterious substances are present.
In addition, for states such as California, the products are also noncompliant with Proposition 65 (Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act), which requires all products containing substances known to cause cancer or reproductive harm to display warning labels.
The FDA’s response includes:
New York Wholesale Group LLC undertakes a voluntary recall and calls upon all consumers to:
No adverse effects have yet been reported to date; however, the company encourages consumers to seek medical attention in case of any health-related complaints allegedly linked with the product and report the case through FDA MedWatch. [6]
The recalls experienced by Zaarah Herbals illustrate the common problems present in the worldwide herbal industry: insufficient raw material testing and lack of traceability. Although traditional herbal treatments are seemingly still popular among consumers seeking alternative ways of wellness, manufacturers hardly ever keep up with modern scientific and regulatory standards.
The following preventative controls are advocated for botanical supplement brands by FRL:
This unique incident reinforces the need for Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) audits and pharmacognosy expertise to be included at every point in the product lifecycle-from the sourcing stage all the way through to post-market surveillance.
The critical questions that arise from the recall of powders from Zaarah Herbals cover an area of regulatory oversight, vetting suppliers, and consumer safety in the ever-expanding field of herbal supplements. Even as Ayurveda and botanical sciences offer a great therapeutic legacy, public health stands compromised by commercializing these disciplines without scientific proof of efficacy and toxicological assurance.
This can serve as a cautionary benchmark for herbal brands at the global level. As stricter regulatory frameworks emerge and consumers continue to demand safer, scientifically validated natural products, manufacturers should not perceive quality assurance as another box to tick for compliance; rather, it becomes and should remain a core pillar of brand credibility.
For more information, visit the FDA Recall Notice – Zaarah Herbals Powders or contact New York Wholesale Group.
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