The voluntary recall of several types of herbal teas made on-site by U.S. Deer Antler Exports & Imports; Inc. occurred in May 2017. After a health department check in California, these teas were marketed to acupuncture practitioners and individual consumers in 120 ml packets in seven U.S. states (CA, FL, IL, MD, NC, TX, VA) between March and April 2017. The teas were susceptible to contamination by the deadly bacterium Clostridium botulinum because they were not processed according to the correct low-acid canned food (LACF) procedures [1] .
A rare but possibly fatal illness called botulism, brought on by toxins produced by the bacterium C. botulinum, was the main worry. When meals are not processed with enough heat, the bacteria may flourish in low-oxygen conditions [2] . One confirmed case of botulism in Orange County, along with two others, was immediately connected by health officials to the tea. The symptoms are severe, including double vision, slurred speech, trouble swallowing, muscle weakness, and potentially life-threatening paralysis.
The teas were not heat-processed using proven time-temperature cycles necessary for LACF.
The manufacturing site was not equipped with any of the following, all of which are necessary for producing safe, shelf-stable products: planned processing records, pH monitoring, or water activity testing.
Due to the lack of sterilization and the plastic pouch packaging, the ideal conditions for the proliferation of C. botulinum were established [1] .
If you drank or purchased tea in pouches during that time frame:
We assist brands in avoiding botulism risks by providing the following at our Food Research Lab:
“All shelf-stable liquids, regardless of acidity, must be treated in accordance with approved standards. Avoiding that poses significant danger.” Specialist in Food Safety at FRL
The recall of Deer Antler tea in the United States serves as a sobering reminder that using unproven heat processes and controls in shelf-stable beverages can result in fatal consequences. Herbal manufacturers must adhere to stringent food safety regulations, particularly when it comes to anaerobically packaged goods.
Work with FRL to launch products safely.
With process design supported by experts, protect your herbal beverages and your customers:
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