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Article: Contaminated tea destroyed. (Paraguay Tea)
- Article from:
- FDA Consumer
- Article date:
- October 1, 1995
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1995 U.S. Government Printing Office. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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After an investigation by FDA and the New York City Health Department of belladonna poisoning from drinking contaminated Paraguay Tea, the city embargoed - and later destroyed - 21 pounds of the imported dried herb. Two victims with severe symptoms were given antidote to the poison and recovered. Five victims with milder symptoms recovered without treatment.
Belladonna poisoning typically causes fever, dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat, flushed skin, agitation, and disorientation. It can be fatal to older people, children, or heart patients.
The NYC Health Department found belladonna in the tea, and speculated it may have come from jimson weed, a plant of the ...