A MAJOR bargain chain has urgently recalled popular tea products after they were found to contain insects.
Popular discount retailer TK Maxx and sister company Homesense have ordered the removal of several flavors of Kintra Foods Organic Premium Leaf Teas from their shelves.
The Food Standards Agency has issued a recall saying the contamination is “unsafe to consume”, reports Nottinghamshire Live.
It is understood that several batches of three variants of the popular tea have been immediately recalled.
These items were on sale between April and June of this year.
Food Standards Agency said: “TK Maxx and Homesense are recalling selected lots of Kintra Foods Organic Premium Leaf Tea as some of these products have been found to contain insects.”
“If you purchased any of the above products, please do not consume them. Instead, return them to a TK Maxx or Home Sense store for a full 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 appear to contain insects.
“The products were available for purchase in our stores between April 2024 and June 2024.
“Stop using it immediately and return to a TK Maxx or Homesense store for a full refund.”
Batch codes of the products being recalled
THE affected products are:
Calm and relax (60g), Batch Codes – 6057, 6071, 6118, 6126 and 6207
Chamomile (40g), Batch Codes – 5887 and 6111
Drowsy (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 an item may be dangerous.
In more serious cases, manufacturers or retailers issue a recall, warning customers not to use the product and asking them to return it.
As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer generally bears primary responsibility for the recall.
But it is often left to retailers to notify customers when products could put them at risk.
Sometimes a company will issue a recall to limit the number of complaints.
What are my rights to a refund?
If you return a recalled product, your rights to a refund depend on whether the defect makes it unsafe.
Sometimes companies repair the product, for example by installing a new part instead of offering a refund.
However, if a defect makes a product unsafe to use or too difficult to repair, you are still entitled to claim 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 wondering whether they should have their pushchair repaired or ask for a refund.
“Which? is recommending that customers stop using their strollers and speak to the iCandy customer service team.
“While iCandy encourages consumers who purchased Orange 4 strollers from January 2024 to have their stroller reworked, you have 30 days to decline and receive a refund in accordance with the Consumer Rights Act.”
Read more about your rights regarding a recalled product in our guide.
How can I check for product recalls?
Unfortunately, there is no central database of all recalls in the UK.
This makes it more difficult for consumers to actually know whether the products they use are safe.
Some websites list the most recent recalls for different types of products:
- For food, you can view a list of food alerts on the Food Standards Agency website at www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts.
- Some 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, visit www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall.
- For electrical products, please refer to the Electrical Safety First website by visiting www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/product-recalls.
- Check drug alerts and recalls at www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts.