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After routine FDA sampling revealed pesticide residues above action levels, East West Tea Company, LLC the maker of Yogi teas voluntarily recalled its Organic Echinacea Immune Support Tea in March 2024. From store shelves all around the United States, some 54,846 boxes or around 877,536 tea bags were taken. The recall was designated as Class III by the FDA, indicating a minimal chance of negative health consequences. The item has not been associated with any diseases. [1]

2024 Advisory on Plant Safety: Recall of Yogi Organic Echinacea Immune Support Tea

Recall , July 08, 2025

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After routine FDA sampling revealed pesticide residues above action levels, East West Tea Company, LLC the maker of Yogi teas voluntarily recalled its Organic Echinacea Immune Support Tea in March 2024. From store shelves all around the United States, some 54,846 boxes or around 877,536 tea bags were taken. The recall was designated as Class III by the FDA, indicating a minimal chance of negative health consequences. The item has not been associated with any diseases.  [1]

Purpose of the Advisory

The alert warns customers about the possibility of higher amounts of pesticide residue in the tea that is impacted. The FDA’s safety regulations were violated by the presence of levels above established action levels, even if it was not anticipated to be harmful. As a result, in accordance with FDA regulations, the East West Tea Company voluntarily initiated a Class III recall.

Root Cause Analysis

  1. Source of Contamination: Agricultural Drift

The source of contamination is suspected to have come from pesticide drift from adjacent conventional farms, even though the ingredients were organic.

  1. FDA Limit Exceeded

Some detected pesticide residues were present at levels higher than the FDA’s actionable levels and further investigation and recall action were taken.

  1. Non-Specific Disclosure

The company failed to disclose the actual pesticide(s) involved in the contamination. [2]

Product Overview

Description of the product

Field Details
Brand Organic Yogi Echinacea Immune Support Tea (East West Tea Company, LLC)
Product 16-count boxes (4‑pack or 6‑pack) organic herbal tea bags
UPC 0 76950 45010 3
Quantity Recalled 54,846 boxes (~877,536 tea bags)
Distribution Nationwide, U.S. retail and online stores
Contaminant Risk Pesticide residues above FDA action levels, Class III recall
Recall Dates Initiated: March 3, 2024

Regulatory Enforcement – FDA

  1. Detection through Standard Surveillance

The product was flagged in the FDA’s Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program’s routine surveillance.

  1. Recall classification; Class III

Recall classification was Class III meaning there is little likelihood of adverse health effects.

  1. Manufacturer and retailer’s response

East West Tea Company engaged with the FDA by notifying retailers and allowing distributors to dispose of or return the products.

  1. Consumer instruction

Consumers were instructed to throw away the contaminated tea or return it to the store for a complete refund.[3]

_Recall of Yogi Organic Echinacea Immune Support Tea blog

GMP Deficiencies and Regulatory Insights

This incident underscores flaws in the herbal supply network:

  • Even if suppliers adhere to organic norms, pesticide drift may still cause pollution.
  • insufficient buffer methods surrounding organic crops
  • Inadequate environmental testing of plant-based raw ingredients
  • There is no proactive screening for multi-residue pesticides in completed products.

Suggestions for Keeping Consumers Safe

If you have this tea:

  • Quit using it right away
  • Either throw it away or give it back to where you bought it (retailers are giving refunds).
  • Look out for typical symptoms of pesticide exposure, such as skin, eye, or respiratory irritation, or neurological or gastrointestinal pain, although this is rare.

FRL Commentary: Ensuring Botanical Ingredient Safety

The Food Research Lab helps tea and herbal product brands with:

  • Environmental risk assessments to look for pesticide drift.
  • Multi-residue testing on both raw and finished products.
  • Developing traceability and buffer zone procedures.
  • Creating a company internal testing standard that exceed regulatory standards.

“Even certified organic ingredients can be contaminated – testing at the outset is critical.”

Conclusion:

The pressing need for effective pesticide monitoring and contamination controls for organic botanicals is highlighted by this recall. Maintaining consumer confidence requires proactive testing and traceability, not just adherence to regulations.

Partner with FRL for Risk Mitigation

Let Food Research Lab help your brand:

  • Screen for pesticide contamination
  • Validate buffer systems around organic fields
  • Establish batch-level multi-residue testing
  • Adhere to global and FDA botanical safety standards
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