The focus action primarily served to collect data regarding the contamination with pyrrolizidine alkaloids (abbreviated PA) of herbal teas offered in Austrian trade. 73 samples from all over Austria were examined.

• no sample was objected to

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are naturally occurring secondary constituents found in plants and are mainly found in the following plant families:

• Asteraceae (Compositae) e.g. Greiseweed (Senecio), Coltsfoot (Tussilago), Butterbur (Petasites) etc.
• Boraginaceae (broadleaf family) e.g. comfrey (Symphytum), borage (Borago), viper's bugloss (Echium) etc.
• Fabaceae (butterfly plants) e.g. rooibos (Aspalathus) etc.

Particularly 1,2-unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids are considered to be of toxic relevance and are to be classified as harmful to health.