There is a batch of tea on the market that contains a substance potentially harmful to health, it is essential not to consume it.
Tea at the supermarket (Ricettasprint.it)
The Ministry of Health recently issued a safety alert regarding the seizure of tea bags from Türkiye containing a banned substance. It was discovered that these sachets contain a slimming drug.
The offending product is marketed under the brand Meridetox Tea Premium and is available on various e-commerce sites, as reported by the Ministry. Italy promptly reported the product to the European Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed Rasff (notification 2024.3007) on 15 April 2024.
Despite the timely reporting, the alert for consumers was only published today, 30 April 2024. The discovery of these tea bags occurred thanks to the work of the Trieste Financial Police Group and the Anti-Fraud and Control Section of the Customs.
The sachets were found hidden in a vehicle coming from Turkey, which arrived at the city’s port. In total, the Italian authorities seized 14,400 single-serving bags of Meridetox Tea Premium tea.
Tea subjected to food recall, what’s inside the disputed batch
Meridetox soil (Ricettasprint.it)
The analyzes conducted at the Trieste Customs laboratory revealed the presence of sibutramine, a substance with pharmacological slimming activity. It is important to underline that the use of this substance is prohibited in foods and food supplements.
Sibutramine is a drug that works by reducing appetite and was previously used to treat obesity. But, following a reevaluation of its safety and effectiveness, the Agency Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of the European Medicines Agency concluded that the benefits of the drug do not outweigh the potential risks associated with its use.
Therefore, in 2010, the European Union decided to suspend all marketing authorizations for medicines containing sibutramine. The presence of sibutramine in these tea bags represents a serious violation of food safety regulations.
Taking this substance can pose serious health risks to consumers, especially if taken without medical supervision. Side effects of sibutramine include increased blood pressure, tachycardia, sleep disturbances, and cardiovascular problems.
The Ministry of Health invites all people who have purchased or consumed Meridetox Tea Premium tea to immediately stop using it and to consult a doctor. It is essential that consumers are always vigilant and careful when purchasing food products, especially those from unofficial or unknown sources.
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Consumers are advised to exercise caution
It is advisable to always check the authenticity and origin of the products, read the labels carefully and pay attention to any warnings or safety reports issued by the competent authorities.
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In case of doubts or suspicions about the safety of a product, it is essential to report it to the competent authorities to protect your health and that of other consumers. The Ministry of Health will continue to carefully monitor the situation and adopt the necessary measures to guarantee the food safety of Italian citizens.
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At the same time, it is important that consumers are aware of the risks associated with using products that do not comply with regulations and to rely only on safe and certified products. The health and well-being of citizens must always be at the center of the concerns of all actors involved in the food sector.