Over 17,000 iron supplement bottles recalled over 'poisoning risk'

Nutritional Fundamentals for Health (NFH) has issued a recall for over 17,000 bottles of iron supplements due to a packaging safety issue, according to United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPS).

The recall happened as the bottles did not meet the child-resistant requirements set by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA), which posed a potential risk of iron poisoning to young children.

Iron supplements can pose a poisoning risk to young children if swallowed in large numbers.

The recall affects various types of NFH iron supplements, including Iron SAP, Heme Iron SAP, and Prenatal SAP, which were sold through clinics and online retailers between March 2022 and December 2024.
It is to be noted that the recall applies to the bottles but not the supplements within.

These supplements were sold at naturopathic and homeopathic clinics across the United States.

If you too have the recalled iron supplements, you can get a free replacement with a child-resistant bottle. Meanwhile, NFH is reaching out to all the known customers directly. There have been no reported injuries related to the recall, so far.

What is iron poisoning?
Iron poisoning which occurs due to swallowing a large number of iron-containing pills, may cause mild to severe symptoms. The symptoms typically begin six hours after the overdose and include vomiting, vomiting blood, diarrhea, abdominal pain, irritability, and drowsiness.

The severe symptoms include rapid breathing, a rapid heart rate, coma, unconsciousness, seizures, and low blood pressure may develop.

Acute iron poisoning is observed among children under age 6 who swallow pediatric or adult vitamins containing iron. It is especially tricky because these children may not be able or willing to tell you what and how much they swallowed.

If you suspect your child might have eaten tablets, you should consult a hospital’s emergency department or a poison control center regarding possible iron poisoning.

Iron can corrode the intestinal lining and is a direct irritant to the stomach. People with iron poisoning can have severe vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dehydration and lethargy.

Common reasons behind supplement recall
Supplements may at times be recalled due to contamination scare, which can involve harmful substances such as heavy metals, bacteria, or undeclared ingredients that may pose health risks. Packaging issues, such as non-child-resistant bottles or faulty seals, can also lead to recalls, particularly when they pose a poisoning hazard. Incorrect labeling, including inaccurate dosage instructions or the omission of allergens, is another frequent cause.
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