A MAJOR bargain chain has issued an emergency recall of popular tea products after they were found to contain insects.
Popular discount retailer TK Maxx and sister company Homesense have ordered the recall of several flavors of Kintra Foods organic premium loose leaf teas.
The Food Standards Agency issued a recall notice saying the contamination could be “unsafe for consumption”, Nottinghamshire Live reports.
It is understood that several batches of the three varieties of the popular tea were immediately recalled.
These items were on sale from April to June of this year.
The Food Standards Agency said: “TK Maxx and Homesense are recalling selected lots of Kintra Foods organic premium loose leaf teas as some of the products have been found to contain insects.”
“If you have purchased any of the above products, please do not use them. Instead, return them to any TK Maxx or Home Sense store for a refund.”
Tk Maxx and Homesense said in a statement: “We are recalling selected batches of the above products due to a food safety risk. Some products from these batches have been found to contain insects.
“The products were on sale in our stores from April 2024 to June 2024.
“Please stop using it immediately and return to any TK Maxx or Homesense store for a refund.”
Batch codes of downloaded products
The affected products are:
Peace and relaxation (60g), batch codes – 6057, 6071, 6118, 6126 and 6207
Chamomile (40g), batch codes – 5887 and 6111
Sleepy (40 g), batch codes – 6058, 6102 and 6125
What is a product recall?
Many product safety warnings are issued as a precaution to let consumers know that the item may be dangerous.
In more serious cases, manufacturers or retailers issue recalls, warning customers not to use the product and asking them to return it.
As a general rule, if the recall involves a branded product, the primary responsibility for the recall would usually lie with the manufacturer.
But it’s often left up to retailers to inform customers when products could put them at risk.
The company sometimes issues a recall to limit the number of complaints.
What are my refund rights?
If you return a recalled product, your rights to a refund depend on whether it is unsafe due to a defect.
Sometimes companies will repair the product, for example by fitting a new part, instead of offering a refund.
However, if the defect makes the product unsafe to use or too difficult to repair, you still have the right to request a refund.
Natalie Hitchins, head of Which? home products and services, said: “This recall due to a potential safety issue means that many parents will be concerned about their child’s safety and will be wondering whether they should have their pushchair repaired or ask for a refund.
“Which? advises customers to stop using their strollers and speak to iCandy’s customer service team.
“Although iCandy is encouraging consumers who bought Orange 4 pushchairs from January 2024 to have them reworked, you have 30 days to refuse this and get a refund in accordance with the Consumer Rights Act.”
You can read more about your rights regarding a downloaded product in our guide.
How can I check product downloads?
Unfortunately, there is no central database that lists all recall actions in the UK.
This makes it difficult for consumers to really know if the products they are using are safe.
Some websites list the latest downloads for different kinds of products:
- For food, you can check the list of food alerts on the Food Standards Agency website at www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts.
- A number of the latest recalls and safety notices are listed on the Chartered Trading Institute at www.tradingstandards.uk/consumer-help/product-recalls-and-safety-notices.
- For car and vehicle recalls you should visit www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall.
- For electrical products, you can check the Electrical Safety First website at www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/product-recalls.
- Check drug alerts and recalls at www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts.