Arizona Cannabis Establishment Voluntarily Recalls Product Due to Contamination Concerns
The Arizona Department of Health Services has issued a warning to consumers this week after a cannabis establishment in the state voluntarily recalled a product that may be contaminated with a fungus. The product, known as Onion Bhaji, has been found to contain Aspergillus, a fungus that can cause allergic reactions or infection in individuals who are already sick.
Consumers Advised to Dispose of Potentially Contaminated Product
The Arizona Department of Health Services is advising purchasers to dispose of the product immediately. The agency has stated that no illnesses have been reported to date, but is issuing the recall out of an abundance of caution. Customers who have already consumed the product and are experiencing symptoms are advised to seek medical attention.
Errors in Testing Results Lead to Recall
The Department of Health Services has stated that errors in testing results were discovered, leading to potentially false negative results for the contaminant. Once the agency became aware of the potential contamination, they contacted the facility that produced the product and the licensee took immediate action to remove the product from store shelves.
Product Recalled by The Flower Shop
The product in question, Onion Bhaji, was voluntarily recalled by The Flower Shop. According to the Phoenix New Times, the product is sold in The Flower Shop’s three metro Phoenix locations and distributed to nearly 170 other dispensaries across Arizona.
Product Recalls Common in Legal Cannabis Markets
Product recalls are a reality in any legal cannabis market. Arizona legalized recreational marijuana for adults in 2020, and since then, marijuana sales in the state have totaled over a billion dollars. In 2023, recreational sales accounted for over 76% of the total, an increase from the previous year. Medical sales have also seen a decline since the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Legalization of Recreational Marijuana in Arizona
In 2020, Arizona voters passed a ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana for adults, ending prohibition in the state. Since then, recreational sales have totaled $2.8 billion, while medical sales have reached $1.65 billion. The AZ Mirror reported in March that recreational sales for 2023 totaled about $1.1 billion, with medical sales contributing $348 million.
