JEDDAH: The Saudi Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) has banned the sale and distribution of oolong tea, particularly the Wulong and Oolong brands, after samples were found to contain excessive levels of pesticides.

In a statement posted on the agency's website, the SFDA said pesticides such as the Chlorpyrifos, Chlorfenapyr, Diphenylamine and Lambda-cyhalothrin found in oolong samples exceeded tolerable limits.

Oolong is a traditional Chinese tea made by fermenting withered leaves.