Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin Warns Jamaican Tea Sample has Salmonella

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released the following information:

Contact:
Public Affairs
(404) 656-3689

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin warns consumers a popular specialty tea from Jamaica has tested positive for salmonella, sometimes a fatal infection.

Lab technicians at the Georgia Department of Agriculture confirmed Friday -- after consultation with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration -- that Caribbean Dreams Cerasee Tea has been found to be positive for salmonella. The sample tested has the product code date of February 24, 2006 with lot # 24 02 06/BBE 24 02 09. The tea is imported from Kingston, Jamaica, and was being sold at Ocho Rios Atlanta, Inc., Tucker, GA. and possibly other places.

"We will be looking for this product at retail outlets and warehouses, but consumers need to check their shelves at home," said Irvin. "Salmonella poisoning can make you awfully sick and miserable. If you have this tea, you need to return it to your place of purchase for a full refund."

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with the spores -- that can survive for years -- often experience symptoms similar to a serious case of influenza.

Agriculture inspectors have been directed to remove the product from stores and warehouses. Testing was initiated after a consumer complained to the agriculture department concerning the tainted tea. Lab test confirmed the presence of salmonella.

Type of Recall:
Class I - This is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.