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Which YOGI TEA Was Recalled Recently?

3 min read

In May 2024, nearly 900,000 bags of a popular immune support tea were voluntarily recalled by the East West Tea Company after pesticide residues were detected above action levels. This incident led many consumers to question which YOGI TEA was recalled recently and what steps they should take if they had purchased the affected product.

Quick Summary

The Organic Yogi Echinacea Immune Support tea was recalled in May 2024 by its parent company, East West Tea Company, due to pesticide residue detected during routine testing. The Class III recall, affecting hundreds of thousands of tea bags, prompted the company to remove products from shelves. Consumers who bought the tea should check for specific lot numbers and discard the product.

Key Points

  • Recalled Product: Organic Yogi Echinacea Immune Support tea was recalled in May 2024 due to pesticide residues.

  • Reason for Recall: Traces of pesticides were found above FDA action levels during routine audit procedures.

  • Company Response: East West Tea Company issued a voluntary Class III recall and enhanced its testing protocols.

  • Identify Product: Check your tea box for the UPC code (0 76950 45010 3) or a Best Before Date before May 7, 2026.

  • Consumer Action: If you have the recalled product, discard it or contact Yogi Tea for a refund or replacement.

  • Low Health Risk: The FDA classified the recall as Class III, indicating that adverse health consequences are not likely.

In This Article

The Specific Product Recalled

The specific product in question was the Organic Yogi Echinacea Immune Support tea. The voluntary recall, initiated in March 2024 and publicly reported in May, was a proactive measure by the East West Tea Company. The recall affected approximately 877,536 tea bags, sold in 54,846 boxes nationwide.

Details of the Recall

  • Reason for recall: Detection of pesticide residues above FDA action levels during routine audits.
  • Classification: Class III recall, meaning exposure is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.
  • Company's stance: Yogi Tea, which uses organic practices, stated the contamination likely resulted from pesticide drift from a neighboring farm.

Identifying the Recalled Product

If you have purchased Organic Yogi Echinacea Immune Support tea, you should check the packaging for specific identifying information. The recalled products can be identified by the following details:

  • UPC Code: 0 76950 45010 3.
  • Affected Lot Numbers: A long list of lot numbers was provided by the company and the FDA. Some of the affected lot numbers include #0000184330, #0000184853, #0000185098, #0000185100, and #0000185383. A full, comprehensive list can be found on the FDA's website and on Yogi Tea's official recall page.
  • How to find lot code: The lot code is printed on the side of the box, in the same area as the Best Before Date.

Comparison of Recalled vs. Safe Product

Feature Recalled Organic Echinacea Immune Support Safe Organic Echinacea Immune Support
Recall Reason Pesticide residue detected above action levels None
Best Before Date Before May 7, 2026 May 7, 2026, or later
Status Voluntarily recalled and removed from shelves Currently in production and distribution
Lot Numbers Specific affected lot codes (check official list) Not on the official recall list
Action for Consumers Discard or return for refund Safe for consumption

Company's Response and Corrective Actions

Following the discovery of the issue, East West Tea Company took immediate action. The recall was voluntary and they cooperated with the FDA to ensure the affected products were removed from circulation.

  1. New Supplier Secured: The company quickly found a new Echinacea supplier to ensure the quality of future batches.
  2. Enhanced Testing: Yogi Tea engaged new partners to add additional testing capabilities across all of their products to prevent future contamination issues.
  3. Consumer Reimbursement: For consumers with affected products, Yogi offered a reimbursement coupon or a new carton of tea.

What to Do If You Have the Recalled Tea

If you purchased the Organic Yogi Echinacea Immune Support tea, it is important to take the necessary steps to ensure your safety. While the FDA classified this as a Class III recall, which poses a low risk, discarding the product is the recommended action.

  • Check the box: Locate the lot code and 'Best Before' date on the side of the carton. If the 'Best Before' date is before May 7, 2026, or the lot number is on the affected list, your product is part of the recall.
  • Do not consume: Do not drink the tea if it is from a recalled lot.
  • Contact the company: For a refund or replacement, contact East West Tea Company's customer service with an image of the carton showing the lot code. They can be reached at 1-800-964-4832 or [email protected].
  • Return to store: Some retailers, like Dierbergs Markets, offered full refunds for returned products.

Conclusion

The voluntary recall of Organic Yogi Echinacea Immune Support tea highlights the complexities of the organic supply chain and the importance of routine quality control. The quick and transparent response from the East West Tea Company, including securing new suppliers and enhancing testing procedures, demonstrates a commitment to consumer safety and maintaining product standards. While the health risk was deemed low, consumers should verify their products against the provided information and contact the company for resolution if necessary. The incident serves as a crucial reminder for consumers to stay informed about product recalls.

Full list of affected lot numbers and recall information can be found on Yogi Tea's official recall page.

Frequently Asked Questions

The product recalled was Organic Yogi Echinacea Immune Support tea, identified by the UPC code 0 76950 45010 3.

The tea was voluntarily recalled by East West Tea Company after routine testing detected pesticide residues above FDA action levels.

You should not consume the product. Consumers can discard the tea or contact Yogi Tea's customer service for a refund or a replacement carton.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified this as a Class III recall, meaning that exposure to the product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.

Look for the lot number and Best Before Date printed on the side of the carton. Recalled products have a Best Before Date earlier than May 7, 2026, and specific lot codes listed on Yogi Tea's website.

Yes, Yogi Tea secured a new supplier for Echinacea and engaged new partners to add additional testing capabilities across all products to ensure future quality standards are met.

The voluntary recall was initiated in March 2024 and the company confirmed that the recalled product was removed from shelves. New stock with different lot codes is safe.

Yogi Tea indicated that despite its organic practices, the contamination was likely due to pesticide drift from neighboring farms within its complex agricultural supply chain network.

References

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Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.