Tag: Illicium anisatum

In 2003, the U.S. FDA warned consumers against star anise teas after reports of vomiting and seizures, especially in infants, due to contamination with the toxic Japanese star anise. This serious risk of mistaken identity is the single most important safety concern when asking: is it safe to consume star anise?.

Reports have shown that toxic Japanese star anise has contaminated commercial products, leading to severe health issues. Learning how to tell the difference between Chinese and Japanese star anise is critical for preventing accidental poisoning in your kitchen.

While the Chinese star anise (Illicium verum) is a common, safe spice, multiple reports of toxicity exist, mostly linked to confusion with its highly dangerous cousin, Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum). Understanding the difference is crucial for anyone using this distinctive-looking spice in their kitchen.