Urgent ‘do not eat’ warning issued as popular health food product is recalled

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland is advising consumers that a batch of Ecosana Copa Teff Bio (organic Teff flakes) is being recalled due to the presence of tropane alkaloids, which can cause illness.

A recall notice has been emailed to online shoppers advising them not to consume the health food product which was produced in Spain. 

According to the FSAI, tropane alkaloids are naturally occurring plant constituents found in a variety of plant species.

Plants produce tropane alkaloids to protect themselves from predators, such as insects, and contamination can occur if parts  of tropane alkaloid containing plants (mostly seeds) are unintentionally harvested with agricultural crops. 

Symptoms experienced by those who consume tropane alkaloids can include a change in heart rate, decreased salivary and sweat secretion, pupil dilation, dizziness, headache, nausea, hallucination and disorientation.

#FoodAlert Recall of a batch of Ecosana Copo Teff Bio (Organic Teff Flakes) due to presence of tropane alkaloids. For more information, please see: https://t.co/skUJ1HtVQL pic.twitter.com/U2rl5jzy7D

— FoodSafetyAuthority (@FSAIinfo) April 30, 2024

Teff, the seed of a grass, has some similar qualities to a grain. It is very high in protein, fibre, zinc, vitamin B6, calcium and vitamin C, making great for overall health and immunity. 

The specific batch of Ecosana Copa Teff Bio which is being recalled is a 500g packet with a best before date of 28/02/2025. The batch code is C11109.

Consumers who may have bought the product are advised not to eat the implicated batch.