A plant commonly referred to as female ginseng and used to make soup is being recalled because of excessive levels of heavy metals.
Murray Int’l Trading of Brooklyn, NY, is recalling its Angelicae Sinensis because it may contain elevated levels of lead and cadmium, according to the company’s recall notice posted by the Food and Drug Administration.
“The recall was initiated after FDA routine sampling revealed elevated levels of lead and cadmium in the product. Subsequent investigation is underway,” the notice states.
“. . . exposure to larger amounts of lead and cadmium can cause poisoning. While these heavy metals can affect nearly every bodily system, its effects depend upon the amount and duration of lead exposure and age.”
Symptoms can include abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, weakness, behavior or mood changes, delirium, seizures, and coma.
Infants, young children and a developing fetus can be affected by exposure to amounts of heavy metals that may not result in obvious symptoms of lead poisoning. A child with heavy metal poisoning may not look or act sick. Heavy metal poisoning in children can cause learning disabilities, developmental delays, and lower IQ scores.
The recalled Angelicae Sinensis was distributed in the following states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachutes, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Virginia, Delaware, Rhode Island, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio and Texas through retail stores.
The Herbal Doctor brand Angelicae Sinensis is packed in a green plastic bag weighing 16 ounces (454g). It has a series of barcode numbers shown here:
| 767533-91001 | 767533-91005 | 767533-91011 | 767533-91018 |
| 767533-91019 | 767533-91020 | 767533-91049 | 767533-91050 |
| 767533-91057 | 767533-91060 | 767533-91062 | 767533-91068 |
| 767533-91070 | 767533-91071 |
The Herbal Doctor Brand Angelicae Sinensis is also packed in a clear plastic box weighing 12 ounces. It has a barcode number 767533-20097.
The Angelicae Sinensis 16-ounce bag barcodes are located on the back of the plastic bag on the bottom right corner. The Angelicae Sinensis 12-ounce packaged box barcode is located on the back of the box.
No illnesses had been confirmed as of the posting of the recall notice.
Consumers who have purchased Herbal Doctor Brand Angelicae Sinensis are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 718-230-7888.
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