Another major food recall exposes the dangerous lack of transparency in our supplement industry, as Herbalife refuses to disclose which mystery ingredient contaminated nearly 6,000 units of tea distributed across three countries.
Cross-Border Recall Affects Three Nations
Herbalife International of America issued a voluntary recall of 5,888 units of its Relaxation Tea on July 21, 2025, following discovery of an incorrect ingredient in the manufacturing process. The recall spans the United States, Mexico, and Ecuador, affecting consumers who purchased products from lot D925507J02 with an expiration date of April 11, 2027. The FDA officially classified this recall as Class II on August 6, 2025, indicating the product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.
Corporate Secrecy Raises Safety Concerns
The most troubling aspect of this recall is Herbalife’s refusal to disclose the specific incorrect ingredient used in their Relaxation Tea formula. This lack of transparency undermines consumers’ ability to make informed decisions about their health and safety. The company has communicated only through regulatory channels and customer service advisories, avoiding any public press release that might draw additional scrutiny to their quality control failures.
Regulatory Response Highlights Industry Vulnerabilities
The FDA’s Class II classification reveals significant concerns about supplement industry oversight. Unlike pharmaceutical companies, supplement manufacturers like Herbalife operate under looser regulatory frameworks, placing primary responsibility for ingredient safety and accuracy on the companies themselves. This incident demonstrates how global supply chain vulnerabilities can compromise consumer safety when proper verification protocols fail. The delayed public notification, occurring nearly two weeks after the initial recall, further exposes gaps in consumer protection.
Pattern of Industry Accountability Issues
This recall follows a troubling pattern in the supplement industry where companies prioritize damage control over consumer transparency. The cross-border nature of this recall amplifies concerns about international supply chain integrity and regulatory coordination. Consumers who trusted Herbalife’s quality assurance now face uncertainty about what substances they may have consumed, while the company’s silence prevents proper medical evaluation of potential risks.
Tea Recalled Nationwide as FDA Sets Risk Level https://t.co/BvPMH7kCCH
— Tuck The Frumpers (@realTuckFrumper) August 7, 2025
Americans deserve better protection from corporate negligence in the supplement industry, where profits often take precedence over public safety and transparency.
Sources:
FDA recalls nearly 6000 units of renowned Herbalife tea product
Herbalife Nutrition recalled due to incorrect ingredient