Wellington - 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tea, sold in Asian supermarkets and Eastern medicine outlets under various brand names, including Heng Ming, was being withdrawn from sale and recalled by the importer.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.
