The Ministry of Health has reported the call of several lots of biological Earl Grey of the Blue Hill Teas & Infusions brand for the presence of Antrachinone beyond the limited limits
The Ministry of Health has recently reported the call of several lots of Blue Hill Teas & Infusions organic Earl Grey teadue to the presence of anthrachinone in quantities higher than the permitted limits. This chemical compound was detected during analytical checks, which highlighted a greater concentration than that allowed for tea, therefore a potential risk to consumer health.
The lots reported
The Company The Social Cooperative Society that produced the recalling Earl Gray tea, issued a notice in which it specifies all the lots involved, which are as follows:
People who purchased tea with the lotto numbers and expiry dates specified in the notice can return the product to the store to obtain a refund or a replacement.
What is anthrachinone and health risks
Anthrachinone is a chemical compound derived from anthracene, an aromatic hydrocarbide that can have laxative effects. It is sometimes used in herbal medicine, but it is important to underline that its use is regulated and monitored, since excessive doses can cause unwanted side effects.
In particular, anthrachinone can irritate the intestine and cause gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea, cramps and dehydration. The anthrachinone concentration present in the tea recalled was beyond the maximum limit allowed by European legislation, which provides for a specific value, precisely to avoid potential risks for the health of consumers.
