A report in Consumer Reports in 2022 said they found lead and cadmium in several brands of dark chocolate. These heavy metals can cause serious health problems. So how do lead and cadmium get into dark chocolate? Toxicologist Michael J. DiBartolomeis, PhD, studied how these metals contaminate chocolate. The metals are found in cocoa solids, which are part of the cacao bean. The levels of cocoa solids in dark chocolate are higher than they are in milk chocolate, which is why dark chocolates have more problems with contamination. The heavy metals get into the cacao bean in different ways. Cadmium is usually in the beans already when they are harvested because the plants take up cadmium in the soil, which accumulates in the beans. But lead gets into the beans after they are … [Read more...]
Primark Children’s Bamboo Plates Recalled For Lead, Chemicals
Primark Children's Bamboo Plates are being recalled for possible lead and chemical contamination. Lead is a heavy metal that can cause serious illness, including intellectual and behavioral disorders. The plates also have elevated levels of formaldehyde, which is a toxic chemical that can cause choking, coughing, and irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with this issue. The recalling firm is Primark USA Corp of Boston, Massachusetts. The plates were manufactured in China. The recall is for Primark Children's Bamboo Plates. They were sold in the shapes of a bunny, a bear, a rainbow, and Winnie the Pooh. These are the product numbers that are on the packaging: 6041901, 7981401, 8096001 and 8096002. You can … [Read more...]
Bindle Bottles Recalled For Possible Lead Contamination
Bindle Bottles in four different sizes are being recalled for possible lead contamination. An area of exposed lead in the bottom storage compartment of the bottle can pose a health hazard. Unpackaged food that is stored in that bottom compartment can become adulterated by head and could pose health problems to people or animals who eat that food. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. The recalling firm is Bindle Bottle LLC of Carlsbad, California. Acute lead poisoning can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, muscle weakness, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, weight loss, bloody urine, and decreased urine output. Chronic or long term lead poisoning can damage the nervous system and internal organs, and can cause developmental delays and learning … [Read more...]
FDA Announces Action Levels For Lead in Processed Baby Food
The FDA is announcing action levels and draft guidance for lead in processed baby food. This, the FDA says, would result in "significant reductions in exposures to lead from food while ensuring availablility of nutritious foods. This plan is part of Closer to Zero, part of the governments' plant to reduce exposure to the heavy metals lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury in foods consumed by young children and babies. FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D. said in a statement, "For more than 30 years, the FDA has been working to reduce exposure to lead, and other environmental contaminants, from foods. This work has resulted in a dramatic decline in lead exposure from foods since the mid-1980s.The proposed action levels announced today, along with our continued work with our state … [Read more...]
Consumer Reports Finds Lead and Cadmium in Dark Chocolate
Consumer Reports has found high levels of lead and cadmium in some dark chocolate candy brands. A study conducted by As You Sow found that many popular brands contain alarming levels of those heavy metals. Most people believe that dark chocolate is healthier than milk chocolate. And it may improve heart health. But this information may make some people rethink that assumption. Lead can cause significant health problems, including cancer, and it can reduce IQ and cause learning disabilities in children. Cadmium causes damage to reproductive organs, and can also damage the liver, kidneys, and bones. As You Sow has filed legal notices with more than 20 companies that make these dark chocolate candies, including Hershey's, Trader Joe's, Lindt, Whole Foods, Kroger, Godiva, See's … [Read more...]
Green Sprouts Stainless Steel Bottles Recalled For Lead Risk
Green Sprouts Stainless Steel Bottles are being recalled for possible lead poisoning risk. The base on the products can break off, exposing a solder dot that contains lead. There is no known level of lead exposure that is safe. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause serious health problems, including problems in the development of the nervous system and brain. The recalling firm is Green Sprouts Inc. of Asheville, North Carolina. The bottles were manufactured in China. The recalled products are Green Sprouts Stainless Steel Straw Bottles, Sippy Cups, and Sip & Straw Cups. About 10,500 units of these items were sold. The recall is for 6 ounce Stainless Steel Sippy Cups with tracking numbers 29218V06985 or 35719V06985; 6 ounce Stainless Steel Sip & Straw … [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...]
First Choice Glass Baby Bottles Recalled For Violation of Lead Ban
First Choice Glass Baby Bottles that were sold exclusively on Amazon are being recalled because they violate the Federal Lead Content Ban. The recall is for NUK-branded Firsts Choice Glass Baby Bottles that were manufactured for the UK market only and were not intended for sale in the United States. The glass bottles have a latex teat intended for infants 0 to 6 months old. The bottles are 240 mL size. The brand name NUK is in white lettering, a graduated volume scale is on the bottle in white markings, and white and gray stars are on the outside of the bottle. The bottles were manufactured by Mapa GmbH of Zeven, Germany, and imported by Astir Care Ltd. of Birmingham, Great Britain. They were sold online at Amazon from January 2018 through May 2022 for about $20.00. About 100 … [Read more...]
FDA Releases New Total Diet Study Report on Toxic Elements
The FDA has released their new Total Diet Study Report that focuses on the presence of toxic compounds in the foods we eat. The overall takeaway is that the key toxic elements were not detected in most (68%) of the tested foods. The analysis was conducted in foods that were collected from 2018 through 2020. Overall, 3,276 food, beverages, and water products were studied. The key elements studied were lead, arsenic, including inorganic arsenic, the most dangerous form, cadmium, and mercury. Overall, lead was found in 15% of the samples, arsenic in 43%, cadmium in 61%, and mercury in 8%. The categories of food included in the study were alcohol, baked goods, baby food, beverages, candies, condiments, dairy, fruit, grains, meats, ingredients like sugar and flour, compound foods such as … [Read more...]
Natierra Freeze Dried Blueberries Recalled For Lead
Natierra Freeze Dried Blueberries are being recalled because the product contains lead, a heavy metal, in amounts above the FDA's recommended limits based on the serving size on the item's nutritional facts panel. No reports of adverse events have been received by the company to date. The recalling firm is BrandStorm Inc. People with high lead blood levels may show no symptoms, but they may be experiencing damage to the nervous system and internal organs. Acute lead poisoning can include symptoms such as abdominal pain, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and bloody or decreased urine output. Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of lead poisoning, with possible permanent damage to the central nervous system. The effects of lead poisoning depend on … [Read more...]
