The Yogi Tea Recall: What Happened?
In May 2024, the East West Tea Company, LLC, which owns the Yogi brand, initiated a voluntary recall of a specific tea product after testing identified pesticide residues exceeding FDA action levels. This recall involved over 877,000 bags distributed across the United States. While the recall highlights food safety standards, the FDA classified it as a low-risk event.
Which Specific Yogi Tea Was Recalled?
The recalled product is the Organic Yogi Echinacea Immune Support tea, sold in 16-count boxes.
To determine if your tea is affected, check for the following details on the box:
- Product Name: Organic Yogi Echinacea Immune Support
- UPC Code: 0 76950 45010 3
- Affected Lot Codes: A full list of recalled lot numbers is available via the FDA. For key examples and more details, see {Link: USA TODAY https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2024/05/21/yogi-tea-recall-echinacea-immune-support/73690548007/} or {Link: ABC7 https://abc7.com/post/yogi-immune-support-tea-voluntarily-recalled-pesticide-residue/14832801/}.
Why Was This Yogi Tea Recalled?
The presence of pesticide residues exceeding FDA action levels led to the recall. Yogi stated that while they do not use pesticides, external factors like pesticide drift from nearby farms in their supply chain can occur. The voluntary recall was issued to maintain the company's quality standards, despite the FDA classifying it as a low-risk event.
Understanding the FDA Recall Classification
The FDA categorizes recalls based on the potential health risk. The Yogi tea recall was classified as Class III, indicating a low probability of adverse health consequences. This differs from Class I (serious health consequences or death) and Class II (temporary or reversible health consequences).
| Recall Class | Definition | Health Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Class I | Using or being exposed to the product is reasonably probable to cause serious adverse health consequences or death. | High |
| Class II | Using or being exposed to the product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or serious adverse health consequences are remote. | Moderate |
| Class III | Using or being exposed to the product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences. | Low |
What to Do If You Have Recalled Yogi Tea
If you have the Organic Yogi Echinacea Immune Support tea with the matching recall details, you should take action.
- Discard the product: The safest approach is to dispose of the recalled tea.
- Return for a refund: Consumers can return the affected tea to the place of purchase for a full refund. Check with the store regarding their return policy and if a receipt is required.
- Contact the company: The East West Tea Company offers customer service via phone and email. You can also visit their website for more information or to use a customer service form.
Company Response and Future Outlook
Yogi has apologized for the recall and outlined steps to prevent similar issues. The company has emphasized its dedication to quality and is implementing new testing procedures for all products. They are also working with ingredient vendors to ensure compliance with supplier expectations. This recall serves as a reminder for consumers to stay informed about food safety alerts. More details can be found on the official FDA recall database.
Conclusion
To summarize, the recalled Yogi tea was the Organic Yogi Echinacea Immune Support, due to the presence of pesticide residues. The FDA classified the health risk as low, but the voluntary recall demonstrates the company's commitment to quality standards. Consumers with affected tea should discard it or return it for a refund. Remaining aware of product recalls is important for personal safety.
