On January 27, 2025, the voluntary recall of Shatavari Powder was announced by Zaarah Herbals in New York after elevated levels of lead contamination were detected in the product. They had initiated the recall after routine quality control checks and consumer reports raised red flags regarding the health hazards of possible heavy metal contamination. A risk to health, lead contamination can be particularly serious for pregnant women and children. Long-term exposure to lead can trigger neurological and developmental problems. [1]

Zaarah Herbals Shatavari Powder Recall (January 2025)

Recall , April 29, 2025

On January 27, 2025, the voluntary recall of Shatavari Powder was announced by Zaarah Herbals in New York after elevated levels of lead contamination were detected in the product. They had initiated the recall after routine quality control checks and consumer reports raised red flags regarding the health hazards of possible heavy metal contamination. A risk to health, lead contamination can be particularly serious for pregnant women and children. Long-term exposure to lead can trigger neurological and developmental problems. [1]

Reason Behind the Recall

Based on elevated lead content exceeding FDA safety limits, Zaarah Herbals has voluntarily recalled its Shatavari Powder. This decision arose from routine quality checks along with consumer reports that raised concerns regarding a potential contamination. Lead is considered a toxic heavy metal that can cause severe health hazards, especially for at-risk groups, including pregnant women and children.[2]

Root Cause Analysis

The source of contamination was tracked by internal investigations carried out by the manufacturer to raw material sourcing. Lead content was introduced in the upstream procurement activities and not during manufacturing. The lot in question failed to conform to the permissible limits on lead as per FDA’s standards. Consequently, Zaarah Herbals is implementing corrective actions:

Enhanced testing of raw materials
Verification of suppliers and quality audits
Compliance monitoring on the specific batch

There are no other batches that were impacted.[3]

Product Description

Brand: Zaarah Herbals
Product: Shatavari Powder
Size: 100g of jar (3.5oz) with a golden lid
Affected Lot: SR 04
Manufacture Date: July 2022
UPC Number: 63502899940
Issue: Lead levels elevated
Recall Classification: Risks Class I [3]

Issue Identified

Zaarah Herbals’ Shatavari Powder had high levels of lead that were not mentioned in either the ingredients list or safety declaration panel. During routine checks, contamination was detected, and a lead level was reported exceeding FDA safety limits regarding heavy metals in food products. Thus, this recall has been classified as a Class I recall, which indicates there is a reasonable possibility that the use of the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death to the consumer.

Health Hazards

Low-level lead exposure may cause harmful effects:

Children: for development delays, bent behavior, and impaired cognition
Adults: for kidney damage, hypertension, and cardiovascular risks
Pregnant Women: for fetal development abnormalities and miscarriage Due to the severity of these risks, the recall has been categorized as Class I, with a reasonable probability of serious health hazards.

Regulatory Body Concerns

The presence of lead has been flagged as a violation of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act through the intervention of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
According to FDA guidelines concerning heavy metal contamination within food products, recalls of any product with excess levels of lead will take place, thus saving lives from public health hazards.
Zaarah Herbals is determined to strengthen its quality assurance systems which will include tougher analysis for lead and other heavy metals both in the raw materials and the final products. [4]

Manufacturer’s Consumer Guidance

Consumers who have purchased Shatavari Powder from the affected lot are strongly advised to:

Stop using of the product immediately and prevent from any potential health exposures to lead.
Return the product to the place of purchase for either a full refund or exchange.
Get in touch with a health care provider or report to the FDA MedWatch program any adverse effect encountered while using the product.

Zaarah Herbals assures consumers that other products from its range have not encountered this problem, and that the issue’s main cause has been dealt with promptly. [5]

FRL Commentary

As I say this recall, it seems to pronounce the need for a continuous heavy metal testing and supplier verification requirement in the nutraceutical industry. Food Research Lab (FRL) further advises nutraceutical firms:

Regular heavy metal screenings with Certificates of Analysis (CoA) for every batch of raw materials used in production.
More robust supplier audits and testing procedures to concern contamination prevention before production.
Quality control processes that are exhaustive, compliant with FDA requirements, and provide consumer health protection.

Conclusion & Advisory Note

This recall of Zaarah Herbals has very much driven home the requirement of very strict scrutiny of raw materials and their regulatory compliance in the nutraceutical industry. Even though, the corrective steps taken are good, it emphasises the need for proactive testing, vigilance in the supply chain, and accountability for public health.

Consumer trust cannot be maintained just through corrective action but must be preventive quality management at each level. Investments in nutraceutical-branding should be made towards scientifically backed protocols for assuring sustained safety and regulatory trust.