Last week, California’s Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) issued a mandatory recall for a Mike Tyson-branded product, Tyson Undisputed Cannabis Flower, due to contamination with Aspergillus sp., a type of mold.
The recall, published on April 9, affects multiple products sold after August 24, 2023, including the TOAD and TADPOLES batches, distributed across several counties including Alameda, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The flower was grown by manufacturer Northern Emeralds, who also partnered with rapper Future for a product collaboration last year.
This incident follows on the heels of other recent product recalls in California’s cannabis industry, which has been plagued this year by issues related to both product safety and testing integrity.
Among industry insiders, the practice of “lab-shopping” — where cannabis manufacturers shop around for labs that might provide inflated or fabricated test results to increase sales or obfuscate the presence of contaminants — has been a controversial subject for years. The incident also brings fresh attention to concerns about celebrity-backed cannabis brands, which critics argue may prioritize marketing over product quality and safety.
Consumers who have purchased any of the affected Tyson Undisputed products are advised to check their packages for specific batch and UID numbers listed in the recall notice. Those with matching numbers should dispose of the products or return them to the retailer for proper disposal.
The DCC has also instructed all licensees with recalled products in their inventory to follow specific procedures to address the recall and has offered assistance via recalls@cannabis.ca.gov.
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