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...]
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...]
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...]
Products From Kerela Ayurvedic Consultation in Toronto May Have Lead
Health Canada is warning consumers that products sold by Kerela Ayurvedic & Natural Herbal Consultation in Toronto, Ontario are unauthorized and may pose serious health risks. Health Canada seized products from the company after Public Health Ontario notified the department of a case of lead poisoning following the use of products from that clinic. Lab testing found high levels of lead and mercury in products that patient consumed. This warning pertains to all Ayurvedic medicinal products sold by that company, which is located at 2900 Markham Road, Unit L13 in Majestic City Mall, Toronto. This includes products ordered by the clinic from a supplier that were shipped directly to consumers. Lead and mercury are heavy metals that can can cause serious short term and long term … [Read more...]
FDA Releases Action Plan to Reduce Heavy Metals in Baby Food
The FDA has released their Action Plan to reduce heavy metals in baby food and other foods that children eat. A report released by the United States House of Representatives in February found that commercial baby foods were "tainted with significant levels of toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury." That report also stated that "Exposure to toxic heavy metals causes permanent decreases in IQ, diminished future economic productivity, and increased risk of future criminal and antisocial behavior in children. Toxic heavy metals endanger infant neurological development and long-term brain function." The action plan, called Closer to Zero, details the approach the government will take. The press release did insist that FDA testing found that children are not … [Read more...]
FDA Announces Action Plan on Heavy Metals in Baby Food
After the U.S. House Subcommittee report that was issued last month about the amount of toxic heavy metals in baby food, the FDA is announcing new actions. The report found that four of the seven major baby foods made in this country have unacceptably high levels of cadmium, mercury, and lead. The remaining three corporations refused to supply information about their products. First, a letter to industry was issued reminding manufacturers of their responsibilities when producing these foods. And the agency will put a plan into action to reduce toxic elements in foods for babies and young children to levels "as low as is reasonably achievable." Manufacturer's responsibilities include considering risks from chemical hazards, including toxic elements, when conducting a hazard … [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...]
Senator Schumer Concerned About Heavy Metals in Baby Food
Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is urging the FDA to investigate a new report that states there are toxic heavy metals in baby foods. The government does not have regulation that would make industry to address this problem. That report, by Healthy Baby Food.org, states that these metals, including arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium, are found in a wide variety of baby foods. According to the report, 95% of baby foods tested were contaminated by at least one of the heavy metals. One in four baby foods teated contains all four of the heavy metals. Only nine of 168 baby foods teated did not have any traces of these toxins. The products with the highest levels of contamination include fruit juices and rice-based products. Alarmingly, four of the seven infant rice cereals that were … [Read more...]
FDA Revises 2017 Fish Advice For Pregnant Women, Young Children
The FDA is revising its 2017 fish advice for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and young children, given the worries about mercury in fish. Dr. Susan Mayne, director of the FDA's Center of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, said in a statement, "Fish and shellfish are an important part of a well-rounded diet. However, we know many consumers worry about mercury in fish and even choose to limit or avoid fish because of this concern. In fact, we have seen that women in the U.S. who are pregnant are consuming far less than the recommended amount of seafood." In 2017, the FDA released a reference chart to help consumers choose the types of fish to eat more or and less of because of their levels of mercury. The fish species are listed under Best Choices, Good Choices, and Choices to … [Read more...]
