The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a safety alert warning consumers to avoid several dietary supplement products marketed as tejocote root (Crataegus mexicana) or Brazil seed after laboratory testing confirmed the presence of toxic yellow oleander. The agency updated its advisory on March 11, 2026, adding another product to the list of supplements found to contain the poisonous plant.
According to the FDA, these products are adulterated because they contain Thevetia peruviana (yellow oleander) instead of the labeled ingredient. Yellow oleander is a highly toxic plant native to parts of Mexico and Central America and is known to contain potent cardiac glycosides that can cause severe health effects. Exposure may result in neurological, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular symptoms, which in serious cases may be life-threatening or fatal.
The FDA is advising consumers to immediately stop using and dispose of these products. Individuals who have consumed any of the affected supplements are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider, even if the products were taken some time ago, to determine whether medical evaluation is necessary. Consumers experiencing serious side effects are urged to seek emergency medical assistance or contact a poison control center.
The products identified by the FDA include multiple brands and formulations sold through various online platforms, including Amazon, eBay, and independent distributor websites. Some companies have issued voluntary recalls, while others have not committed to a recall or could not be contacted by the FDA. In several cases, online marketplaces have removed product listings following regulatory notification.
The safety alert stems from earlier findings reported in 2023 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which documented cases of tejocote root supplements being substituted with yellow oleander. Following that report, the FDA initiated additional sampling and testing of products marketed as tejocote root. The agency remains concerned that other products labeled as Crataegus mexicana, Raíz de Tejocote, or Mexican hawthorn could also contain the toxic plant.
As part of its ongoing investigation, the FDA continues to test suspect products and work with third-party sales platforms to address potentially hazardous items in the marketplace. The agency stated that additional products may be added to the advisory as new information becomes available and that surveillance of adverse events and product complaints will continue.