The FDA has issued final guidance for the levels of inorganic arsenic in apple juice to the action level of 10 parts per billion. This guidance is for industry to help protect public health, but it does not establish legally enforceable responsibilities. Inorganic arsenic is the most harmful form of this toxic heavy metal. Arsenic occurs in the environment, both naturally and as a result of arsenic-containing pesticides that were used on food crops. Pollution from coal-fired power plants, mining, and fracking also deposit the heavy metal in soils and in water. Acute symptoms of arsenic poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, followed by numbness and tingling of the extremities. Long term complications of arsenic poisoning include cancer, liver disease, diabetes, … [Read more...]
FDA Studies Seafood Consumption Role in Child Development
The FDA is studying seafood consumption roles in child development and growth, with the aim of limiting the exposure of babies and young children to heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, lead, and cadmium that may be in those foods. The independent study is funded by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine and is called The Role of Seafood Consumption in Child Growth and Development. The FDA is partnering with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency on this study. While seafood consumption is healthy and should be an important part of a child's diet along with a pregnant women's diet, seafood is the primary dietary source of mercury. That heavy metal can damage the … [Read more...]
Public Warned: Kerela Ayurvedic & Natural Herbal Consultation in Toronto
The public has been warned about using unauthorized Ayurvedic medicinal products sold by Kerela Ayurvedic & Natural Herbal Consultation in Toronto by Public Health Canada after a report of heavy metal poisoning following the use of products obtained from this clinic. You can get a copy of this advisory in Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Urdu upon request. All Ayurvedic medicinal products sold at that facility, which is located at 2900 Markham Road, Unit L13 in Majestic City Mall, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, are affected by this public health notice. This includes products that were ordered by the clinic from a supplier and shipped directly to consumers. As of February 1, 2022, the testing of products seized from Kerela Ayurvedic & Natural Herbal Consultation in Toronto has … [Read more...]
Symptoms of Heavy Metal Poisoning From Foods
Symptoms of heavy metal poisoning from foods can be serious and can cause long term health complications and illness. Food Poisoning Bulletin has often reported about foods and dietary supplements that are recalled for heavy metal contamination. The heavy metals most often involved include lead, arsenic, and mercury. Heavy metal poisoning can be both acute and chronic. Chronic poisoning is usually from long term exposure to smaller amounts of these compounds. Symptoms of this type of poisoning develop over time. Heavy metal poisoning can be difficult to diagnose, since many of the symptoms are similar to the symptoms of other health problems, although some symptoms and illnesses, such as reduced IQ and cancer, are more unique to the metals. Acute heavy metal poisoning can occur … [Read more...]
FDA Warns Against Black Oxygen Organics Fulvic Care Powder and Tablets
The FDA is warning consumers not to take Black Oxygen Organics Fulvic Care Powder and Tablets dietary supplements because they may contain elevated levels of lead and arsenic. Immediately stop using the product and do not let other household members or pets to use them. These products were sold online at the company's website. Black Oxygen Organics Fulvic Care Powder and Tablets were sampled at the U.S.-Canadian border, where the high levels of the heavy metals were found. The FDA detained the shipment and put the product under Import Alert 99-42. You can see pictures of product labels at the FDA web site. More shipments of the product were detained after September 14, 2021, but the firm released those products into commerce without the FDA's knowledge when they should have been … [Read more...]
Parent’s Choice Rice Baby Cereal Recalled For High Arsenic Levels
Parent's Choice Rice Baby Cereal is being recalled for high inorganic arsenic levels. Three lots of this cereal are recalled. The recalling company is Maple Island Inc. that makes this cereal for Walmart. While no illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem, consuming arsenic can cause cancer, heart disease, lung disease, IQ loss, diabetes, and neurological problems. And its effect is much more serious in infants and young children because they are growing rapidly. The FDA set limits on the amount of inorganic arsenic in baby food at 100 parts per billion (PPB). The cereal tested above the FDA guidance level. Rice is especially vulnerable to taking up this heavy metal when it grows. The grain is often planted in fields where cotton was grown. And arsenic … [Read more...]
Beech-Nut Rice Baby Food is Recalled For High Inorganic Arsenic
One production date lot of Beech-Nut rice baby food is being recalled because it contains high levels of inorganic arsenic. Baby food manufacturers have been under fire for some time because sampling has shown that many of these products have high levels of heavy metals such as inorganic arsenic, cadmium, and lead. No illnesses related to this specific product have been reported to the company to date, although the effects of ingesting this compound can take years to manifest. No other production dates or Beech-Nut products are affected by this recall. Beech-Nut has also decided to leave the market for Beech-Nut branded Single Grain Rice Cereal. The company is concerned about the ability to obtain rice flour that is consistently well below the FDA guidance level and their own … [Read more...]
High Levels of Arsenic and Lead in Vinegars, Says Food and Water Watch
There are high levels of arsenic and lead in vinegars, according to a letter that Food & Water Watch sent to officials at the FDA. The letter was also signed by the Empire State Consumer Project (ESCP). The letter claims that dangerously high lead and arsenic levels have been found in many brands of vinegars, especially balsamic vinegar, and vinegar reductions that are sold in United States grocery stores. Those organizations are asking the FDA to protect the public, especially children and pregnant women, who are most at risk for serious health problems from those heavy metals. They want the FDA to establish limits for those compounds in vinegars and to add warning labels on products. ESCP's test results showed that of the 24 samples of major brands of vinegars or vinegar … [Read more...]
U.S. House Report Finds Baby Foods Tainted with Heavy Metals
A U.S. House subcommittee report finds that baby foods tainted with heavy metals are being sold to unsuspecting consumers. The report was issued on February 4, 2021 by the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy and the Committee on Oversight and Reform. The report states that companies were asked to provide information about internal testing on their products. Four complied. But Walmart, which sells Parent's Choice baby food; Sprout Organic Foods; and Campbell, which sells Plum Organics, refused to cooperate with the subcommittees' investigation. They did not provide testing results or standards. The report states that representatives have "grave concerns" about baby foods manufactured by those three companies that would not cooperate, stating "The Subcommittee is greatly … [Read more...]
Valley Processing Ordered To Stop Producing Adulterated Juices
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington entered a consent decree between the FDA and Valley Processing of Sunnyside, Washington to stop the company from distributing adulterated juice products until they comply with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The complaint, filed on November 6, 2020, states that Valley Processing juice products allegedly contained inorganic arsenic and patulin toxins at levels that can cause health problems. This juice was distributed for use in school lunch programs. This consent decree prohibits Valley Processing from receiving, preparing, processing, packing, holding, labeling, and/or distributing FDA regulated products until it completes corrective actions. The company had stopped its juice processing activities, but they … [Read more...]
