Wellington (dpa) - New Zealand's Food Safety Authority warned
consumers Thursday not to eat seeds in a Chinese herbal tea made from
the plant abrus cantoniensis, which is also known as Canton love pea
or herba abri, saying they were toxic.
It said the tea, sold in Asian supermarkets and Eastern medicine
outlets under various brand names, including Heng Ming, was being
withdrawn from sale and recalled by the importer.
Anyone experiencing a gastrointestinal illness after consuming the
tea was advised to consult a doctor immediately and general
practitioners were alerted to the danger, a statement said.
Copyright 2008 dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH