Infusions chamomile are very popular in winter. This hot drink warms and relaxes thanks to the calming virtues of this plant. But in Germany, the reputation of the tea of the French brand Kusmi Tea with chamomile is tarnished. At issue: the revelation by the German consumer association Warentest of the presence of substances potentially harmful to health in tested sachets. 73.2 milligrams per kilogram of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA), would have been detected in these infusions, reports BFM business which reveals the information.
PAs are toxins produced naturally by several species of plants, mostly weeds. Problem, they could present dangers to human health and lead in the worst case to liver poisoning. PAs have been the subject of alerts from the‘European Food Safety Agency (EFSA).
Wild herbs potentially dangerous for the liver
In the case of Kusmi Tea chamomile teas, the found level of PA is not high enough to expose to this risk but the regular consumption of this infusion could expose to the risk of development of liver cirrhosis and cancer, according to the’german association, taken over by BFM business.
This case does not scratch the virtues of chamomile but targets wild herbs containing these AP contaminants and harvested at the same time as it.
Faced with the controversy, the French tea maker announced the immediate withdrawal from sale of the boxes of Chamomile currently on the European market. Chamomile infusions are no longer available for sale on the brand’s website.
As a precaution, we withdraw our chamomile from sale while awaiting the notice of @EFSA_EU on alkaloids detected in Germany.
– Kusmi Tea (@KusmiTea) January 18, 2017
Read also: Green tea: it should not be drunk in excess
For healthy bones, drink 3 cups of tea per day
