FDA Issues Warning about Tejocote Root supplements substituted with toxic Yellow Oleander

The FDA reported on January 03, 2024, that analysis has determined that certain dietary supplements labeled as tejocote (Crataegus mexicana) root are adulterated because they were tested and found to be substituted with yellow oleander (Cascabela thevetia), a poisonous plant native to Mexico and Central America. The tested products are labeled as tejocote but are actually toxic yellow oleander. Ingestion of yellow oleander can cause adverse neurological, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular health effects that may be severe or even fatal. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cardiac changes, dysrhythmia, and more. These products are typically sold online through third-party platforms. In September 2023, the CDC published a report of several tejocote root products found to be substituted with toxic yellow oleander. Based on this report, the FDA initiated an investigation to sample and test additional tejocote root products. The FDA has tested nine samples representing the nine different products and found them to contain yellow oleander. Additional sample analysis is pending. Based on the FDA’s sampling and testing results thus far, the FDA is also concerned that other products marketed as tejocote (including with other names such as Crataegus mexicana, Raiz de Tejocote, and Mexican Hawthorn) may contain yellow oleander. Consuming yellow oleander can cause severe adverse health effects and be potentially fatal. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-issues-warning-about-certain-tejocote-root-supplements-substituted-toxic-yellow-oleander?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery