'Gaia Balancing Tea' recalled across BC due to Salmonella contamination

Gaia Garden Herbals Inc. is recalling Gaia Garden Herbal Dispensary brand Gaia Balancing Tea from the BC marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination.

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This product has been sold across the province.

If you are unsure if you’ve have purchased this product, contact the retailer you bought it from.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Symptoms of a Salmonella infection typically start six to 72 hours after exposure to a contaminated product, and can include fever, chills, diarrhea, cramps, vomiting, and nausea.

Most people who become ill from an infection will fully recover in a few days, according to health officials, although individuals can be infectious for up to several weeks.

Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk for serious illnesses related to Salmonella infections.

It is difficult to know if a product is contaminated with Salmonella because you can’t see, smell, or taste it.

To lessen the risk of Salmonella, the following food safety tips are offered by public health officials:

• Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling fresh produce.
• Cutaway any bruised or damaged areas on fresh produce, since harmful bacteria can thrive in these areas.
• Wash fresh produce thoroughly under fresh, cool, running water, even if you plan to peel them.
• Don’t soak fresh produce in a sink full of water.
• Use a clean produce brush to scrub items that have firm surfaces like cucumbers, oranges, melons, potatoes, carrots.
• Use one cutting board for produce, and a separate one for raw meat, poultry, fish, and seafood.
• Place peeled or cut fruits and vegetables on a separate clean plate.
• Use paper towels to wipe kitchen surfaces, or change dishcloths daily.
• Sanitize countertops, cutting boards and utensils before and after preparing food.